I am the Founding President & CEO of Pipeline – an award-winning “home” for super entrepreneurs from the Midwest who are doing tremendous work around the globe. In fact, Pipeline entrepreneurs are reporting revenue of over $1.39B, they have raised over $608M and are doing business in over 85 countries. More importantly, they are still knitted together as serial entrepreneurs, investors, and champions for their communities. They are changing the Midwest economy while becoming life-long friends dedicated to helping each other for their entire careers. This has been an extremely gratifying part of my career to lead this ambitious and successful group.
And now, after serving as Pipeline’s leader for nearly 13 years, and working with nearly 150 high performing entrepreneurs, I have announced that I am ready to move to a board only role so I may find my next (ad)venture. This is an exciting time!
It is a huge decision to take my own “leap of faith” into my next chapter, so as I do so, I am moving with clarity about what makes me tick and how I can best aggressively and strategically serve.
What’s Next
After working with so many entrepreneurs, investors, business experts and more, it’s exciting to now be able to tightly narrow my focus and leverage this experience for this next phase of my career.
As such, I am now ready to work in the role of a key, trusted and active partner to one or two exceptional people or projects who are taking on their own “mountains.” I really get that work and know I can help.
In my next role, I will work as an integral part of the core leadership team, for the long term, while together we identify and develop strategies to win. As we develop these strategies, I will break down the overall strategy to actionable steps, drive groups to deliver results, inspire others locally and globally to join the effort – and sometimes even get my hands dirty in creative projects that serve the strategy (just take a look at my portfolio page).
Joni is one of those rare leaders who can blend vision, strategy and details seamlessly to achieve big impact. She works hard and works smart, and inspires everyone around her to do the same. She is truly the whole package.
Joni is the best strategist I’ve ever encountered. Regardless of industry or issue, she is someone who always connects the dots --and then quickly devises plans that can win. And she is a pleasure to work with.
I have watched Joni as a member of her Board of Directors, as well as a colleague when we work together to execute. Joni is one of the most effective CEOs I have ever met.
While I have worked with many founders, CEOs and board members in my career, I’ve never encountered one with as much creativity as Joni. She is truly unique in her skillset that encompasses both the strategy and leadership needed to vision a future--and then the creativity and drive to execute and make it happen.
Joni is the real deal - a true entrepreneur who has walked the walk of a Founder CEO. Her vision, strategy, creativity and execution are exceptional. She would be an extremely valuable asset to any business and board.
Joni has the rare ability to see a future state others miss and work relentlessly to create that reality. Part visionary, part evangelist, part recruiter, part creative, Joni pours her whole self into her work to create a future that shapes a world that positively impacts everyone she collects along the way.