The finalists for WashingtonExec’s Chief Officer Awards were announced March 25, and we’ll be highlighting some of them until the event takes place live, in-person May 11 at the The Ritz-Carlton in McLean, Virginia.
Next is Chief Marketing Officer (Private & Public) finalist Joy Jarrett, CMO of Guidehouse. Here, she talks key recent achievements, shaping the next generation of industry leaders, career advice and more.
What key achievements did you have in 2021/2022?
My biggest recent achievements this past year were the launch of our Guidehouse brand and the execution of our first partner meeting as a newly combined firm.
Throughout our initial years of growth and the acquisitions of Navigant and then more recently Dovel Technologies, we were witnessing the birth of a vitally important and different consulting model with the agility, teaming drive and creativity of a startup and the deep wisdom and trusted client value in the market to address some of the most complex issues of our day.
So, in many ways, we were launching our brand and new consulting platform model both externally and internally. Our external launch unified our firm internally around a common positioning and value of “how” we support our clients while also announcing to the market that we are intentionally different and thrive to “outwit complexity” with clients… something we never take for granted and are immensely proud of having a seat at their table when it most counts.
What has made you successful in your current role?
Throughout my career, I have been blessed with the opportunity to work for a variety of great companies and leaders, which have uniquely prepared me for this role. From my work with the Olympics to leading development for an agency to helping launch WebMD (pre & post IPO) to my tenure with IBM launching their SMB segment and more, each company culture, leadership team, market positioning, etc. have all been radically different and yet each have informed the foundation I am currently leveraging to build our marketing center of excellence.
I deeply value the partnership and collaboration I have with Guidehouse executives and the importance of marketing and sales alignment, which is instrumental in driving our growth.
What are you most proud of having been a part of in your current organization?
The impact we continue to make not only with our clients but with our people, each and every day is inspiring in ways words will never capture. I had the opportunity to participate on our weekly COVID Crisis Team during these past two plus years where we continually monitored the impact and wellness of our people across a global landscape filled with much complexity.
We sent over 2,000 care packages, implemented a “People FIRST” communications program, introduced new benefits and programs where our colleagues needed us and much more. We stepped up, lived our RIISE values and did what was right for our people again and again. Being a part of a firm that operates in this manner is something I will always treasure.
How do you help shape the next generation of government leaders/industry leaders?
At Guidehouse, we truly live a “People FIRST” culture where everyone is embraced and supported both personally and professionally to ensure they can bring their whole selves to work daily. This open, collaborative operating structure is encouraged across the firm and what differentiates us from other consultancies, providing our people the foundation they need to grow personally and professionally.
What’s your best career advice for those who want to follow in your footsteps?
“Leap and the net will appear” is my mantra. Early on in my career, I never took risks and therefor didn’t feel as challenged. As I matured, I started to embrace the positive potential of change and pushed myself out of my comfort zone to leap into new areas, even if I didn’t see the immediate benefit.
I truly believe you can make a difference wherever you are and it’s when you push yourself in areas where you aren’t comfortable, embrace change as an opportunity to stretch, it can lead to great, rewarding outcomes — both for yourself and other. And as a mother of a teenager, it’s a great lesson to my son as well.