Founder, Herold Growth Consulting

Jo Ann is an executive in resident at Georgia State University where she is on faculty and teaches the executive MBA global strategic marketing course. She is the author of the 2022 best-selling book, Living On A Smile: 16 Ways to Live a Big Life and Lead with Love. Her new book, Future Purpose: The Playlist to Design a Career You Love will launch this fall.

Previously, she was Chief Marketing Officer for The Honey Baked Ham Company, twice, marking a collective tenure of more than 20 years with the company. Her experience spans iconic global brands including Arby’s Restaurant Group, Interface, Inc., and McDonald’s, as well as serving start-ups and nonprofits. In all her roles, Jo Ann earned recognition for her ability to achieve strong financial results and create award-winning marketing programs that drove sales and profitability.

An unwavering purpose-driven servant leader, Jo Ann has served numerous philanthropic roles, including former Vice Chair of the Arby’s Foundation, President of the CMO Club and AMA Atlanta, Leadership Atlanta graduate, and Covenant House board member. Jo Ann is widely lauded for her service, including being named the National Diversity Council’s Most Powerful and Influential Women and earning a Lifetime Achievement award from the American Marketing Association (AMA) and their Marketer for Good. She is on the Executive Board of Fast Company and a frequent contributor.

In addition to her contributions professionally and through service to others, Jo Ann and her husband, Mark, have a daughter, Lily, who is a junior at Auburn University.