Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Carlson Companies, Inc.

In her role as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Marilyn is responsible for the day-to-day operations of one of the largest privately held companies in the world.

Marilyn graduated with honors from Smith College with a degree in International Economics and a minor in Theater.  She also attended the Sorbonne in Paris and the Institute Des Hautes Etudes Economiques Politiques in Geneva, Switzerland, where she studied political science and international economics.

Recognized as a worldwide business leader, Marilyn currently serves on the boards of Exxon Mobil Corporation and U S West. She is Millennium Chair of the Travel Industry Association of America, leading this important industry group into the new century.  She also served on the board of First Bank System from 1978 to April 1997.  She has been a member of the World Travel and Tourism Council and a member of the World Economic Forum since 1997.  At the invitation of President Bill Clinton, she was a delegate to the White House Conference on Tourism in 1996.

Capitalizing on her international business expertise, Marilyn leads the management of a global business portfolio encompassing Carlson Companies’ major operating groups, specializing in Corporate Solutions and Consumer Services: Carlson Hospitality Worldwide (hotels, restaurants and cruise ships); Carlson Wagonlit Travel (business travel and leisure travel brand); Carlson Leisure Group (leisure travel agencies and tour operators); and Carlson Marketing Group (incentive and loyalty marketing).

Marilyn has always been devoted to community programs and has served as President of the United Way of Minneapolis, Board Member of United Way of America, Chair of New Sweden '88, and leader of the Governor's Task Force to bring the 1992 Super Bowl to Minnesota.  Supporting the family’s strong Swedish heritage, Marilyn chaired the nine-month long "Scandinavia Today" celebration in the U.S.

During "Scandinavia Today," the King of Sweden bestowed upon Marilyn the Royal Order of the North star, First Class, and the President of Finland presented her with the Order of the White Rose, Officer First Class.

Carlson Companies, Inc. was founded in 1938 as the Gold Bond Stamp Company. Among the names in the Carlson family of brands and services are: Thomas Cook travel and financial services, Carlson Wagonlit Travel®, Regent® International Hotels, Radisson Hotels & ResortsTM Radisson Seven Seas Cruises®, Country Inns & Suites By Carlson®, T.G.I. Friday’s® restaurants and Carlson Marketing Group®, the largest relationship marketing services company in the United States.  Ranked among the largest privately held corporations in the country, Carlson Companies is based in Minneapolis, Minnesota.  In 1999, Carlson brands generated more than $31.4 billion in gross sales system-wide and currently employ about 188,000 people in more than 140 countries.