Lilja

Lilja Communications is a creative communications agency committed to crafting the stories of impact-focused organizations making a difference in their communities. We immerse ourselves in your world, ask the right questions, and develop authentic, engaging stories that inspire action and influence for good. Our approach is influenced by core communication principles that stand the test of time. We center on people and relationships to ground our communications in authentic, engaging ways. We care deeply about our clients, our work, and our world. We deliver on our promises. We lead with integrity. We create exceptional work that does exceptional good.

Our History

Mary Lilja founded Lilja Communications (originally called Lilja Ink) in 1988. With her job moving to New York and three young children, she decided to seize the entrepreneurial roots instilled in her by her father and go out on her own. She drew on her background in speechwriting and corporate communications to work with industries ranging from retail to banking, as well as nonprofits and foundations, steadily growing her roster of clients, her team, and the agency's capabilities. These themes continue today in the second generation of Lilja Communications leadership. After a stint as an intern at Lilja Communications and a career in sustainability communications in Salt Lake City, Mary's daughter, Kate Lilja Lohnes, moved back to Minnesota to rejoin Lilja. She officially took the helm of the business in January 2020. Mary graciously delayed her retirement to help the team navigate the choppy waters of the pandemic.

Our Team

"I love working with the Lilja Team! They are responsive, creative, and their work is consistently excellent." - Suzanne Koepplinger, Catalyst Initiative

Sustainability Policy

Lilja Communications is a small business that is committed to taking steps to reduce its impact on the environment. The policy steps outlined below are simply the beginning of our internal efforts to enhance corporate sustainability. Our goals are to integrate sustainability into all of our business decisions, minimize the impact of our office and transportation activities, ensure that everyone on the Lilja team knows and understands our Sustainability Policy, and encourage our clients and the broader community to consider implementing sustainability practices in their daily lives.