Ann Marie Fudge

By: BlackEntrepreneurProfile.com

Born: April 23, 1951, in Washington, DC.

Company: Young & Rubicam Brands

Position: Former Chairman and CEO

Industry: Advertising

Education: Simmons College, B.A. (honors), Harvard Business School, M.B.A.

Country: United States

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In a Business Week Magazine interview Fudge was asked, what was her dream job growing up? She replied she had none. "I was interested in retailing because I had always worked in department stores during the summer and thought I wanted to be a buyer."

She served as the chairman and chief executive officer of Young & Rubicam from 2003 to 2006. She also serves as chairman and CEO of its largest division, Y&R Advertising which include Burson-Marsteller (public relations / public affairs), Wunderman (direct and database marketing), Landor Associates (brand consulting and creative design) etc.

Ms. Fudge received a BA degree from Simmons College in 1973 and an MBA from Harvard University in 1977.

Fudge is a former President, Beverages, Desserts and Post Division, a $5 Billion unit of Kraft Foods. She was on Kraft's management committee and managed many brands including Maxwell House Coffee, Kool Aid, Crystal Light, Post cereals, Jell-O desserts and Altoids. But after being in the position for only one year, Ann decided to leave to spend more time with her family and enjoy more of life. She sayed away from the business world for two years before returning.

Ms. Fudge is a director of GE, Novartis AG, the Gates Foundation and the Rockefeller Foundation and is on the board of overseers of Harvard University.

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