Dear Panther Family,
After completing a thorough search, I am pleased to announce that Jo Ann Herold has accepted the role of vice president for Public Relations and Marketing Communications at Georgia State University.
You may have seen Jo Ann’s work over the last several months as she led our PRMC team in developing communication and messages for our strategic plan, BluePrint to 2033, and Building Pathways to Success. Jo Ann is a master in brand storytelling and communications. She has been instrumental in helping me to share my vision for GSU over the last several months.
Jo Ann has served as an Expert-in-Residence for GSU’s J. Mack Robinson College of Business and is on the faculty of the EMBA program, where she teaches global strategic marketing. She co-leads the Marketing Roundtable alongside Dr. Denish Shah. Together, they have increased Roundtable membership by more than 30 percent and co-chaired the successful Future of Marketing Conference and Max Awards this year.
Jo Ann brings a wealth of experience from leadership roles at some of Atlanta’s most beloved brands. She was chief marketing officer for The Honey Baked Ham Company and chief marketing officer for global sustainability leader Interface. Earlier in her career, Jo Ann was VP of Brand and Communications at Arby’s Restaurant Group and vice chair of the Arby’s Foundation, helping to raise more than $18 million toward ending childhood hunger. She has a well-earned reputation for delivering record-breaking financial results built on innovative and purposeful marketing programs, which is the expertise she is now bringing to GSU.
It's also notable that Jo Ann’s work has been recognized by her peers. She was named to the National Diversity Council’s Most Powerful and Influential Women list, and her work has received two Effie awards for marketing effectiveness. She recently received a Lifetime Achievement award from the American Marketing Association’s (AMA) Atlanta chapter and is the 2023 recipient of the AMA’s Marketer for Good award.
Jo Ann's commitment to giving back to the community is inspiring. She serves on the Covenant House of Georgia board, is a Leadership Atlanta graduate and co-facilitator on the nonprofit committee where she has helped the Grove Park Foundation and the East Lake Foundation. Jo Ann is the previous Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau board chair. She is also on Fast Company's executive board and a frequent contributor to the media brand.
She has an MBA in International Business from Mercer University and an undergraduate degree in communication from Mississippi State University. She has an Advanced Executive Coaching Diploma from Emory University.
You will see more from Jo Ann as she leads the communication strategy for the strategic plan and helps to lead GSU’s branding platform. I am excited to work with Jo Ann and draw on her experience as we continue to advance the growth of our university.
Please join me in welcoming Jo Ann to the Panther community.
All the best,
