Family connection is the reason why Maria became a Northern Star “guru.”

John Phillips, Maria’s older brother, often talked about the good experience he got at the Northern Star and encouraged his sister to apply. She did, and became one of the Star’ best sales representatives. She was promoted to assistant ad manager for 1996-97.

Maria remembers a fun experience at the newspaper, from the camaraderie with other advertising staffers to trips to the Chicago Tribune.

“I still remember when Rich Schovanec from the Tribune would come to the Star to help with training,” she says. “He was such an inspirational speaker, and he was fun. Those sessions at the Crystal Pistol after training … well, they were just special.”

“I remember when I made a good commission I would take the production kids out,” she adds. “I learned then to appreciate those who make my job easier. But it wasn’t only that. The Star gives you confidence to go out and actually accomplish what you set out to do.”

Maria graduated in 1997 with a major in corporate communications. She landed a job at the Chicago Sun-Times, a company that usually did not hire brand-new grads. But, the Star experience gave her the edge. At the Sun-Times, she was a retail account manager and in 1997 surpassed her quota by 31 percent. In 1998, while exceeding her yearly sales quota again, she helped launch a new Recruitment section, educating agencies on the new product. She was promoted to National Account Manager, and again surpassed sales goals.

In 1999, Maria joined Landon Media Group as National Account Manager, responsible for healthcare and telecommunication categories for 14 major-market newspapers. In 2000 she received the Special Sales Recognition Award, an award bestowed by clients.

In 2000 she was hired by Sports Illustrated Women and Sports Illustrated For Kids (Time Inc. titles) as account manager. By January 2002 she worked exclusively for Sports Illustrated for Kids as the Midwest Sales Manager. Her performance led to the 2007 promotion to Corporate Sales Director Midwest for Time Inc., a position she currently holds. Maria received the “Marlin Award” for effective development and execution of marketing programs for clients.

Maria thrives in using her creativity to develop ideas and strategies to help clients achieve their marketing goals. She particularly enjoys the challenges presented by today’s business environment.

Maria lives in Chicago with her husband, Dennis.