New department reinforces commitment to EDI and cultural tourism; client services promotions strengthen Chicago’s competitive advantage.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contacts:
Isaac Reichman, ireichman@choosechicago.com, (312) 805-9586
Michelle Gonzalez, mgonzalez@choosechicago.com, (312) 259-5708
CHICAGO, IL (November 6, 2025) – Choose Chicago announced the creation of the Inclusive Tourism and Community Engagement department, marking a major investment in Chicago’s visitor economy and a defining moment for the destination marketing industry. While other DMOs have introduced programs focused on diversity or cultural outreach, Choose Chicago is among the first in the nation to establish a permanent, fully resourced department dedicated to inclusive tourism — integrating it directly into the organization’s marketing and brand strategy.
The new department will be led by Roz Stuttley, who has been promoted to Vice President of Inclusive Tourism and Community Engagement, reporting to Chief Marketing Officer Lisa Nucci. This structural investment reflects a long-term commitment to ensuring that the impact and opportunities of Chicago’s tourism industry are shared equitably across all 77 neighborhoods. By embedding community engagement and cultural representation into its marketing ecosystem, Choose Chicago is setting a new national standard for how destinations can connect economic growth with authentic local storytelling.
“Choose Chicago continues to make bold moves —setting the standard not only in our marketing and sales strategies, but also in how we showcase and serve our community and our clients,” said Kristen Reynolds, President and CEO of Choose Chicago. “Our investments in people and programs reflect our belief that leadership starts from within. The creation of the Inclusive Tourism and Community Engagement department reinforces our commitment to leading with purpose and ensuring that tourism in Chicago delivers meaningful benefits for both residents and visitors. Roz, Mallory, and Sarah exemplify that forward-thinking spirit, and I’m proud to celebrate their leadership and well-deserved promotions.”
A 13-year veteran of Choose Chicago, Roz Stuttley began her career in the organization’s Client Services department before establishing its first Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) department in 2021. In her role as Director of EDI and Director of the Choose Chicago Foundation, Stuttley has positioned the organization as a leader in equitable tourism—launching programs to support local students, expanding workforce pathways in hospitality, and creating opportunities for more diverse and women-owned businesses to benefit from the tourism industry.
“I’m honored to take on this new role at such an important time for our industry,” said Roz Stuttley, Vice President of Inclusive Tourism and Community Engagement at Choose Chicago. “Tourism has the power to transform communities and enrich lives across our city. I look forward to working closely with our team and partners to build a more inclusive and sustainable future for Chicago’s hospitality and tourism industry.”
In addition to this new department, Choose Chicago elevated members of the Client Services team to ensure that Chicago sets the national standard for providing meeting and convention clients with the ultimate in customized and personalized destination services. Mallory Yepez, who joined Choose Chicago in 2018, has been promoted to Director of Client Services, where she will oversee event execution and client support for major conventions and trade shows while leading the Connecting to Chicago (C2C) initiative. Sarah Leib, who has been with Choose Chicago since 2021, has been promoted to Senior Client Services Manager, continuing to deliver exceptional experiences for meeting and event clients.
“I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to step into this new role and continue serving our clients with the highest level of excellence,” said Mallory Yepez, Director of Client Services at Choose Chicago. “Chicago is unmatched when it comes to hospitality, and I’m proud to work with such a talented team to showcase that to the world.”
“I’m thankful for this promotion and excited to continue building meaningful relationships with our clients and partners,” said Sarah Leib, Senior Client Services Manager at Choose Chicago. “It’s a privilege to help make every event in Chicago a success and to contribute to the city’s reputation as the best big city in the world for meetings and events.”
This announcement comes as Choose Chicago builds on strong momentum heading into the holiday season and prepares for a milestone 2026. Through September, Chicago hotels filled more than 8.9 million rooms, a 3.6% increase compared to the same period last year. Last week, Chicago was also named one of Frommer’s “Best Places to Go in 2026”, marking the city’s first inclusion on the prestigious list of global destinations.
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About Choose Chicago: Choose Chicago is the official destination marketing organization responsible for promoting Chicago as a global tourism and meetings destination—the city that’s Never Done and Never Outdone. Choose Chicago leverages the city’s unmatched assets to enrich the community by attracting meetings, events, and more than 55 million annual visitors, generating over $20 billion in economic impact. Follow @choosechicago and tag #NeverOutdoneChi on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, and X/Twitter. For more information, visit choosechicago.com.
