Marilyn Katz

The founder and President of MK Communications, Inc. is Marilyn Katz, whose work in media and in public policy formed the basis for the firm’s creation. Trained as a sociologist, in fact, Ms. Katz has followed a dual track career. In the 1970s, Ms. Katz relocated in California where she pursued her dual interests in media and public policy. During those years, Ms. Katz worked as a writer, producer and director of educational and theatrical films. At the same time she wrote about and advocated for public policy reform of a variety of government institutions. Shortly after Ms. Katz returned to Chicago, in 1982, she, in partnership with a California firm, formed the media/press team for the Harold Washington Mayoral Campaign. It was this experience, the combining of public policy interests with media skills, which caused her to found MK Communications as a vehicle to marry public policy goals with organizational strategies that brought public support and program realization. Ms. Katz received her formal training in sociology and political science at both Sophie Newcomb College of Tulane University and Northwestern University. She is the recipient of numerous awards for films and campaigns, grants from both the Carol and Ping Ferry and Russell Sage Foundations for policy-related research projects and the author of numerous articles and a published book, The Glass House Tapes (Avon, 1973). She is a fellow of Leadership Greater Chicago, sits on a variety of boards and voluntary organizations.