Kelly Linstroth
Kelly Linstroth is a senior marketing executive and growth strategist known for building large-scale customer engagement ecosystems that drive measurable business growth at the intersection of data, technology, and creative storytelling. Over a 20-year career spanning global brands and high-profile organizations, Kelly has led initiatives that combine lifecycle marketing, data infrastructure, and advanced analytics to deepen customer relationships and unlock new revenue opportunities.
Kelly held leadership roles at Walgreens and the Chicago Cubs, where she helped transform how organizations capture, enrich, and activate customer data to deliver personalized experiences at scale. At Walgreens, she played a key role in launching the myWalgreens loyalty ecosystem nationwide, scaling the platform to more than 100 million members in its first year while building the lifecycle infrastructure supporting onboarding, engagement, and long-term retention.
Her work centers on architecting enterprise marketing ecosystems that connect data, technology, and behavioral insight to accelerate sustainable growth. By leveraging predictive analytics, AI, and advanced segmentation, Kelly has led initiatives that increased customer lifetime value, strengthened retention, and expanded audience engagement across digital and physical channels.
Kelly earned her MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, where she developed the analytical and strategic foundation that complements her creative marketing perspective. Throughout her career, she has frequently been brought into newly created or transformation-focused roles to move organizations from concept to launch—building marketing infrastructure, defining KPIs, and establishing scalable operating models.
At the Chicago Cubs, Kelly led data-driven fan engagement and lifecycle marketing initiatives that expanded the club’s digital audience and contributed to double-digit growth among younger and more diverse fan segments, demonstrating how modern engagement strategies can strengthen long-term brand loyalty.
Known for her collaborative leadership style, Kelly thrives in complex environments where she can design solutions from the ground up, align cross-functional teams, and translate strategy into execution. She places a strong emphasis on mentorship, empowering teams, and building inclusive, high-performing cultures.
Today, Kelly advises organizations as an independent marketing strategist, helping them develop growth strategies, modernize brand and engagement programs, and build end-to-end marketing systems that deliver measurable business impact. She also dedicates a meaningful portion of her work to pro bono initiatives supporting organizations and causes where she can create positive social impact.
Kelly remains passionate about the future of marketing at the intersection of creativity, technology, and data science—helping organizations build deeper customer relationships while delivering sustainable long-term value. She is particularly interested in opportunities to help organizations modernize lifecycle marketing and customer engagement as a driver of long-term growth.
• The University of Chicago Booth School of Business - MBA, Marketing, Entrepreneurship
• Wisconsin School of Business - BBA
• Pro Bono Marketing Consulting
• Chicago Scholars Mentorship Program
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to the people who believed in me, challenged me, and took the time to offer guidance along the way. No meaningful career is built alone, and I’ve been fortunate to learn from leaders, mentors, colleagues, and friends who invested in my growth at pivotal moments.
One leader in particular profoundly shaped my approach to leadership by emphasizing that how we treat people matters just as much as the outcomes we achieve. That perspective stayed with me and became central to how I lead today: setting high standards while creating an environment grounded in empathy, respect, and integrity.
I’m especially grateful to the people who showed up during moments of uncertainty or self-doubt with perspective and encouragement. As the saying goes, it takes a village—and I truly believe strong support systems and meaningful relationships are essential to both personal and professional success.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
“The best advice I ever received was to pursue roles where you can create disproportionate impact, not just accumulate titles—because when you consistently solve meaningful problems and deliver results, the titles eventually follow.”
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Trust your intuition—it will often guide you toward environments where your talents are valued and your growth is supported. Don’t remain in places that fail to recognize your potential or encourage your development. Early in your career, take risks and explore roles you may not have initially considered. Those experiences often reveal strengths you didn’t know you had. In my own journey, I discovered a passion for change management and working in ambiguous environments, frequently stepping into newly created roles to help organizations move from concept to launch.
Most importantly, challenge yourself, believe in your abilities, and hold yourself to the same high standards you expect from others. Confidence, curiosity, and resilience will carry you further than you imagine.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Marketing is entering a defining moment where the ability to translate vast amounts of customer data into meaningful, personalized experiences at scale will determine which brands truly grow. Advances in AI, predictive analytics, and automation are transforming how organizations understand behavior and design customer journeys. The real challenge—and opportunity—is using those capabilities thoughtfully to build trust, relevance, and lasting relationships rather than simply increasing marketing volume.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
One value that guides both my work and personal life is perspective. I believe you can care deeply about your work and your team while still recognizing that your job is not your entire identity. The best leaders balance empathy with clarity—creating environments built on respect, trust, and accountability. My leadership philosophy is rooted in servant leadership: supporting people, fostering connection, and building cultures where strong performance and human wellbeing can thrive together—because the best results come from teams who feel both valued and empowered.