Mary Ittelson founded Ittelson Consulting in 1996 to provide strategic planning, governance and leadership counsel to arts, cultural, and business organizations. Her clients include museums, theaters, dance companies, media corporations, universities, foundations, and government agencies. Her previous consulting experience was with McKinsey & Company where she served a variety of Fortune 100 companies.
Ms Ittelson teaches arts leadership to MBA and PhD candidates at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business where she is an Adjunct Assistant Professor. From 2016–2018 she was a Lecturer of Strategy at the Stanford University Graduate School of Business. Ms. Ittelson frequently guest lectures on arts management.
A leader in the cultural sector, Ms. Ittelson served as Chair of the Board of Trusteesof the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) from 2008–2012 and has chaired numerous MCA initiatives including the Strategic Planning Committee and the Access, Equity and Inclusion Task Force. She was the MCA Associate Director for eight years, responsible for all business aspects as well as for overseeing the new museum building and expansion project.