Joanna Horton McPherson
President, NAWBO Phoenix
Every consequential leadership moment is ultimately a conversation.A founder raises capital because investors trust the story. A CEO aligns an organization because employees believe the vision. A board approves a strategy because leadership communicates with clarity. Long before people buy the idea, they decide whether they trust the person delivering it.
That is the work I do.
I am an award-winning leadership advisor, six-time founder, board director, investor, Harvard University graduate, Forbes Business Council member, speaker, author, and creator of the True Influence Method™. For more than twenty years, I have advised founders, CEOs, executive teams, public figures, and boards through the conversations that determine growth, trust, and influence. My work has contributed to more than $50M in revenue while helping leaders become the trusted voice behind their vision.
Through my private advisory practice, I work with leaders whose expertise has outgrown the way they communicate it. Together, we develop the language, strategic positioning, and executive presence that earn trust with investors, customers, employees, boards, and the public. These are used for sales, marketing, branding and talent.
Leaders typically call me when:
• They built something that stands out, but they're still blending in.
• They're preparing for a defining moment: fundraising, a keynote, a board meeting, a major announcement, or a career transition.
• Their company has outgrown its message and the strategy needs to catch up.
• They need to keep their best people, unifying the team around a vision.
• They want to become known not only for what they do, but for what they stand for.
Over the past two decades, my work has spanned industries, giving me the privilege of advising leaders and collaborating with organizations including:
• Harvard University
• Forbes Business Council
• United Nations
• ABC Television
• Yahoo News
• Bloomberg
• CNN
• Disney
• Chanel
• MTV
• United Way
• Bioneers
Additional highlights include:
• Award-winning leadership advisor and speaker
• 6x founder across media, technology, education, philanthropy, and the arts
• Board Director and trusted advisor to founders, CEOs, executive teams, and growth-stage companies
• Investor supporting innovation, leadership, and impact-driven organizations
• Creator of the True Influence Method™
• More than $50 million in revenue influenced through executive advisory & leadership development
• Trained thousands of leaders, entrepreneurs, and speakers internationally
