Meet Mary Lou

Mary Lou Quinlan is a writer, actor, speaker and women’s advocate. Her evolving passions have defined her career. From advertising director at Avon to CEO of ad agency NW Ayer to successful entrepreneur and now creative force, Mary Lou is a master of reinvention. Her marketing company, Just Ask a Woman advised over 100 blue chip brands, such as Wells Fargo, Estee Lauder, GlaxoSmithKline and Saks Fifth Avenue.

Mary Lou is the author of What She’s Not Telling You, Time Off for Good Behavior, and Just Ask a Woman. Her latest book The God Box became a New York Times bestseller in just three weeks.

She’s written inspirational features for Real Simple, O, the Oprah magazine, and MORE. She’s appeared as a correspondent on The CBS EARLY Show, as well as a judge on the premiere season of the ABC series American Inventor among many media appearances, including The New York Times, Wall St. Journal, PEOPLE and USA TODAY.  She has keynoted hundreds of conferences around the world. She is currently developing a new ensemble play based on a true story about women’s lives (and survival!) in the late 70s and for the past decade, she’s won championships in Pro/Am ballroom dancing.

Mary Lou holds five honorary Doctorates from US universities including an Honorary Doctorate in Communications from her alma mater, Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia. She lives in NYC and Bucks County, PA with her husband Joe Quinlan and their Cavalier King Charles dog Finley.