Mary Cook

Mary is a Market Leader and Senior Partner at Korn Ferry and leads the Midwest Finance and Accounting Interim practice. Her company, Salo, was acquired by Korn Ferry in 2023. At Salo, Mary built and scaled significant high triple digit growth in the Chicago and Midwest markets. A proven operational P&L leader, she focuses on building and expanding and brings that same passion for growth, employee development, and client service to Korn Ferry.

Mary and her team are focused on placing accomplished consultants in senior level finance and accounting interim roles at clients who need top talent to help solve both day to day and strategic needs. They connect the right people with the right client role to help people and businesses evolve and succeed.

Prior to Salo, Mary held CFO positions at Pampered Chef, a Berkshire Hathaway company, and Sears Holdings Corporation. She also held senior finance/executive roles at Chrysler Corporation and Spherion Technology. Mary began her career at Andersen Consulting in the change management practice. These diverse roles gave her experience in finance, operations, change management, and information technology within the retail, multilevel marketing (MLM), and automotive industries. She has worked in high-growth, turnaround, public, private, and PE companies.

Mary is the current President and Chair of the Board of Financial Executives International (FEI) Chicago, and a National FEI Board Director. She is also a member of Board of Advisors of The Executive’s Club of Chicago, a board member and Secretary of Executive Leaders in Transition Exchange (ELITE), and a board member and Vice Chair of Membership of the International Women’s Forum (IWF) Chicago. Mary is also a member of The Economic Club of Chicago. She was a 2025 American Lung Association BOMA Honoree, and a 2022 Chicago Business Journal Women of Influence Honoree.

Mary lends her time to several community organizations, including the Barrington Chinese Immersion Council, Barrington’s Children’s Charities, Gigi’s Playhouse Down Syndrome Achievement Centers, Parkinson’s Foundation, Les Turner ALS Foundation and Second City Canine Rescue.

Mary has a B.A. from Michigan State University and an M.B.A. from the University of Michigan. In her free time, she enjoys Peleton, Yoga, waterskiing, and a friendly game of family basketball. She lives in the greater Chicago area with her husband and two boys.