Christie Hefner

As chairman and CEO of Playboy Enterprises, Inc. from 1988 to 2008, Christie Hefner oversaw the global expansion of Playboy’s legendary brand to a wide array of new platforms and markets, transforming a domestic publishing-based business into a global multi-media and lifestyle company.

Since stepping down, Christie has been working with the Center for American Progress, and appearing regularly on cable news to talk about business and public policy. She is working with the Columbia Journalism Review to increase its influence and effectiveness both as a media watchdog and as an ally in the effort to find new business models for journalism. She is also developing a new brand-licensing business for Canyon Ranch Health Resorts. and serves on the board of Business Forward which is a new trade group designed to engage business leaders in building support for healthcare, education, and energy reform.

The first woman elected to the Chicago chapter of the Young Presidents' Organization, Christie helped to found the Committee of 200, an international organization of preeminent women business owners and executives. She currently sits on the Council of National Advisors for Springboard Enterprises, which supports women-led growth ventures, is a trustee of Rush Medical Center, and on the advisory board of Canyon Ranch. She’s long been involved in electing progressive candidates, advancing women, first amendment issues, and advancing treatment for people with HIV/AIDS.

Christie was born in Chicago in 1952. Elected to Phi Beta Kappa in her junior year of college, she graduated from Brandeis University summa cum laude with a bachelor of arts degree in English and American literature in 1974. She became a President's Councilor of her alma mater in 1978. She is married to real estate developer and attorney William A. Marovitz, a former Illinois state senator.