Appointed in January 2020, Larita Clark is the Chief Executive Officer for the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority and is the first African-American woman to hold that position. Most recently, Larita was the Chief Financial Officer and has been with the Authority since 1984. During her tenure with the Authority, Clark held various financial positions including Controller, Director of Finance and Administration of McCormick Place and Assistant Controller. As CEO, Larita is responsible for the entire McCormick Place campus.  

As North America’s largest convention center, McCormick Place is one of the City of Chicago and State of Illinois’ greatest economic engines, infusing billions of dollars into the state and local economy. The McCormick Place campus, which includes the convention center, Wintrust Arena, Hyatt Regency McCormick Place, Marriott Marquis Chicago, and energy center sustains approximately 17,000 jobs through direct, indirect, and induced effects. In 2023, MPEA welcomed 115 events, representing approximately 2 million visitors. Fiscal Year 2023 marked triumphs with a record $168.4 million in tax revenue, up 6.3% over 2019, with campus operations generating a substantial $2.01 billion in economic impact. 

A graduate of Loyola University Chicago and Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, Clark began her career as an auditor with Peat Marwick Mitchell. A Chicago-native, Clark grew up in West Garfield Park and was class valedictorian at Austin High School.