Holly Crilly is a seasoned executive with a dynamic career spanning corporate strategy, sustainability, and stakeholder engagement. As Senior Director of Member Relations at the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), she plays a pivotal role in driving extraordinary engagement with existing members and spearheading the recruitment and onboarding of new members, particularly across North America. Her work is closely aligned with WBCSD’s strategic imperatives, and she collaborates extensively with both regional and global teams to enhance key account management and optimize member engagement processes
Before joining WBCSD, Holly advised McDonough Innovation, a sustainability consultancy led by renowned architect and designer William McDonough, where she focused on business development and marketing. Prior to that, she spent 18 years in global leadership roles at Cisco Systems, where she led initiatives in sales strategy, marketing, operations, enablement, and served as Chief of Staff
Earlier in her career, Holly held senior account leadership roles at Ruder-Finn (Parallax) and Leo Burnett (now part of Publicis), where she provided marketing, PR, and communications strategy to large corporate clients. She began her professional journey as a writer and editor for computer magazines, showcasing her early passion for storytelling and communication
Holly holds a BA in English Literature from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She furthered her executive education with a LEAD Certificate in Corporate Innovation from Stanford Graduate School of Business. She is also a Climatebase Fellow, a program that deepened her understanding of climate challenges and opportunities
Her personal mission is to make a meaningful impact on global climate, nature, and equity challenges. At WBCSD, she is committed to expanding the organization’s regional presence, strengthening member relationships, and ensuring that member companies achieve tangible sustainability outcomes. Known for her collaborative and positive approach, Holly is instrumental in shaping WBCSD’s engagement strategy and enhancing its visibility across key markets
Outside of work, Holly resides in Chicago with her husband and enjoys spending time with their young adult children. Her personal interests include biking, music, boating, writing, and traveling