The Chicago Advertising Federation (CAF) is proud to announce former CAF President Lizette Williams as the 2020 Advertising Woman of the Year. This CAF accolade began in 1958 as a way to recognize women in the Chicago advertising community who contribute greatly to both her company and the industry at large, advance the practice of advertising through her development of concepts and innovations and foster the growth and development of others.

Get to know Lizette Williams:

Williams’ achievements as a leading marketing and advertising executive spanned across her work at Fortune 50 companies, and she currently serves as the global head of vertical solutions marketing at Facebook. She leads a global marketing team spearheading strategies across 7 industries including consumer packaged goods, retail, gaming and ecommerce. With her digital platform and innovative approach, Williams has helped bridge together technology, the corporate world and the rise of cultural relevance. With regard to her daring impact in her work, Williams is a respected thought leader and subject matter expert. She has provided industry expertise as a keynote speaker and panelist at premiere industry conferences and companies including SXSW, Advertising Week, Essence Fest, the Kraft Heinz Company, LinkedIn and Ogilvy & Mather. Prior to Facebook, Williams worked for McDonald’s, Kimberly-Clark Corporation and PepsiCo in major marketing roles.

“I am incredibly honored to accept this award, and overjoyed to join the group of outstanding women that have received this title since 1958,” commented Lizette Williams. “These woman are an inspiration for many of us in the industry. I hope to use this title as a way to advocate for greater diversity and cultural standing as a proud Afro-Latina, and I hope to empower many young women starting their careers as others have inspired me.”

Outside of the office, Williams serves on the Board of CAF, where she chairs the Diversity Thought Leadership Council, and chairs the American Advertising Federation Hall of Achievement Selection Committee. She also serves on the Board of Directors of RealSelf, the leading healthcare marketplace for people considering an elective cosmetic treatment. Williams’ passions outside of advertising lie within culture and motivating today’s women and youth. As a result, she has a countless number of mentees across the country and has had keynoted events at Northwestern University and Lincoln University.

Williams is a proud mother of two children and received her BA in Economics and Political Science through a joint program with Columbia University in New York City and the London School of Economics as well as her MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.

Past Honorees