Katie Wood
Downtown Naperville Alliance
Executive Director
Katie Wood serves at the helm of the “DNA”, an organization dedicated to the economic vitality and quality of life in Naperville’s Central Business District. In collaboration with City of Naperville partners and downtown property owners, Wood markets Naperville’s downtown district and advocates for the 300+ businesses that operate there. During her tenure, Downtown Naperville has grown sizably both in tenancy and appeal repeatedly voted the best downtown in the suburban Chicago area and nationwide.
Wood began her career at the corporate offices of LensCrafters where she was promoted 5 times in 10 years through various Regional and National Marketing/ Brand Management positions. She was a key member of the team that grew LensCrafters from a small regional optical chain into the Largest Optical Chain in the World.
Following her tenure at LensCrafters, Wood remained professionally active while taking time to raise her young family. She continued independent consulting/ marketing work with several midwestern small businesses as well as work with national and international businesses including National Vision, Inc. (based in Atlanta) and First Tuesday (based in London), an international networking organization during the onset of the Internet Bubble. Wood has volunteered at local organizations, including DuPage County Meals on Wheels, Loaves & Fishes, Naperville School District 203 and leadership roles within St. Raphael Parish and Home & School, and various sports organizations.
Katie holds a BA Degree from Miami University in Speech Communications with an emphasis in Marketing. Katie and her husband Roger have been Naperville residents for over 20 years. Their three grown children Kyle, Andy and Joe, work professionally in Chicago.