Congrats to Karen Sauder, the 2009 Chicago Advertising Woman of the Year. Sauder is a managing director at DraftFCB/Chicago. Sauder joined the agency in 2007, and per agency President Mark Modesto, has been a strong voice in the shop, especially for women, who have looked to her for inspiration. Born and raised in St. Louis, Sauder began her career in the marketing creative services department at Anheuser-Busch. She then worked as a regional manager for Frito-Lay, before joining the national advertising and promotions agency Zipatoni in 1998. At Zipatoni she rose through the ranks to become president of the shop.

The Ad Woman award is bestowed each year on a recipient who has made significant contributions to the advertising and marketing fields. Sauder will receive her award at a luncheon later in the summer.