Jo Leonard

When you sit down to meet with Jo Leonard she will immediately draw a circle on a piece of paper. The circle will contain your name and everything you tell her about yourself creates spokes. As the conversation deepens and you discuss your ideas, dreams, barriers and frustrations, the spokes will intersect and elongate, and soon an image will appear. This is how Jo thinks and brainstorms and this is why she is now in her 15th year as the go-to coach for teens and 20-Somethings. When the picture emerges she begins to collaborate with her clients to map out career and education goals and specific tactics to achieve them.

When asked about her passion, Jo will tell you that she loves working with young adults. In the book “Drive” Daniel Pink discusses motivation, and how we have a deep need to direct our own lives, learn, create new things, do better by ourselves and in the world. "I believe that young adults need to feel in control of their education and career planning and be given the autonomy to make their own decisions. I was an intelligent but confused 20-Something, I didn’t have a specific career in mind, and I wasn’t a natural A-student. But I did have a strong work ethic, was taught to be independent, and I was given the skills needed to communicate and thrive in social settings and in the real world. I have all the empathy in the world for this demographic!"

Jo has been asked to train and coach Fulbright Scholars, Ted speakers, undergrad and grad students, high school leaders and career starters. She speaks on the power of branding, reputation, networking, and the pitfalls and value of social media in a modern job search.

Specialties: Personalized coaching programs to transition under and unemployed young professionals into rewarding careers. Expert in personal branding, resumes, cover letters, personal social media strategies, interview training, social and professional etiquette, personal presentation skills, salary negotiation, internet career searches.