Deneen Gillespie

Deneen Gillespie is a senior communications and marketing leader with more than 25 years of experience guiding institutions through transformation, building high-performing teams, and translating complex priorities into narratives that drive action. Her work is grounded in a deep commitment to inclusive communications, rooted in the belief that who tells the story, how it is told, and who it reaches matter as much as the message itself. As Assistant Vice President of Strategic Communications and Marketing at the University of Illinois System, she oversees brand strategy, marketing, media relations, and system-level communications while partnering across three universities to advance a cohesive voice. She serves as a trusted advisor to senior leadership, shaping integrated strategies that support the System’s mission as a leading public university network. Throughout her career, Gillespie has championed clarity as a form of respect, ensuring institutions cut through complexity to reach the right audiences. Prior to her current role, she served as Senior Vice President at Collaborative Communications, leading work with institutions across education, advocacy, and philanthropy. Her earlier leadership roles at Loyola University Chicago and the University of Chicago reflect a track record of building communications ecosystems, restructuring teams, and fostering more human-centered institutional cultures. Beyond her professional work, Gillespie is a creative storyteller and active community advocate, and she holds advanced degrees and certifications in integrated marketing, leadership, brand management, and project management.