Thomas F. O'Toole

Thomas F. O'Toole is the Associate Dean for Executive Programs and Clinical Professor of Marketing at the Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University. He oversees Executive MBA and Executive Education programs, focusing on customer value growth strategy, data-driven marketing, and digital business models. As a Senior Advisor at McKinsey & Company, he provides strategic guidance on customer strategy and digital transformation.

• Current roles: Associate Dean (2020–present), Clinical Professor (2016–present)
• Prior executive roles at United Airlines (Chief Marketing Officer, Senior Vice President) and Hyatt Hotels Corporation (Chief Marketing Officer, Chief Information Officer)
• Board memberships: Alliant Energy, CWT, Brand USA, CSU Foundation, Big Shoulders Fund of Chicago

O'Toole’s research and teaching interests span customer ecosystems, loyalty programs, data science applications in marketing, and digital transformation. He has developed courses on customer loyalty strategy and contributes to thought leadership through publications in Wiley volumes such as Kellogg on Branding in a Hyper-Connected World and Kellogg on Marketing.

• Selected publications: “Branding Services in the Digital Era” (2019), “Customer-Centricity as a Business Strategy” (2023), “Personalization: Today and Tomorrow” (2023)

He received his B.A. and M.A. in Communication from Cleveland State University, where he was later named Distinguished Alumnus. O'Toole is a frequently invited speaker on customer strategy and marketing innovation.