About Jan

Jan V. Kostner is a visionary marketing leader with award-winning experience in creating high-impact strategies across tourism, public relations, and business development. As Senior Vice President of Membership and Corporate Relations at the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce since 2018, Jan leads a team dedicated to member recruitment and retention while consistently achieving financial goals set by the finance committee.

Previously, Jan served as the Illinois Tourism Director, where she revolutionized the state’s tourism strategy, resulting in a 17% increase in visitors and a 46% increase in tax revenues generating $33.5 billion in economic impact. Her innovative “Mile after Magnificent Mile” rebranding campaign achieved the strongest name recall in the Midwest for over a decade.

Jan’s diverse experience includes establishing the events program at the University of Chicago’s Institute of Politics, working as a freelance marketing consultant for high-profile projects like the Chicago Architectural Biennial, and serving as Senior Vice President at Jasculca/Terman and Associates, where she established the firm’s Special Events Division.

A recipient of the Mercury Award from the U.S. Travel Association and multiple Golden Trumpet Awards from the Publicity Club of Chicago, Jan holds a B.A. in Communications from New England College and serves on the Illinois Agriculture and Food Alliance Board.