# Mary Jo Fasan

> Mary Jo (MJ) Fasan is the Chicago-based founder and CEO of Jo Communications, a design-focused communications agency launched as Jo Chicago in 2004. After working in agencies and as a brand marketing director at Marriott International, she studied interior architecture at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and recognized a communications opportunity among designers and manufacturers. She leads the agency’s work across brand strategy, storytelling, media relations and partnerships, and serves on the executive committee of Designs for Dignity.

- **Role:** Founder and CEO at Jo Communications
- **Organizations:** Jo Communications (formerly Jo Chicago), Marriott International (former employer), Designs for Dignity (executive committee)
- **Education:** School of the Art Institute of Chicago, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
- **Known for:** Founded and led a design-focused agency operating for more than twenty years., Led the House of Hunt communications assignment announced in March 2023., Serves on the executive committee of Designs for Dignity.

## Career timeline

- **—** — Worked at global agencies and independent firms and served as Brand Marketing Director at Marriott International before launching her agency.
- **—** — Returned to Chicago from the East Coast and studied interior architecture at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.
- **2004** — Founded Jo Chicago; first client was sustainable furniture maker el: environmental language.
- **2005** — Agency’s first magazine cover placement featured Mary Jeanne Kneen in the fall issue of Chicago Magazine’s Home.
- **2021** — Announced the change from Jo Chicago to Jo Communications in a May 19 founder letter.
- **2022** — Agency promoted Mary Mullen to vice president, with a planned Florida move to cultivate design partnerships.
- **2023** — Named lead on Jo’s House of Hunt agency-of-record communications assignment.
- **2024** — Celebrated twenty years since founding the agency.
- **2026** — Published essays on marketing alignment and AI in communications; Jo partnered with THE MART on The Quarterly Edit.

## Achievements

- Founded and led a design-focused agency operating for more than twenty years.
- Led the House of Hunt communications assignment announced in March 2023.
- Serves on the executive committee of Designs for Dignity.

## Latest updates

- **2026-03** — Published “The importance of alignment” on March 18, connecting marketing communications with business development objectives.
- **2026-05** — Published “Artificial Intelligence Through the Lens of Communications - Context and the Pursuit of Connection” on May 29.
- **2026-09** — Jo Communications and THE MART’s Quarterly Edit program appeared at Design Chicago with editors and contributors discussing design media and editorial relationships.

## Links

- Website: https://www.jo-comms.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-jo-fasan-55a487b
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jocomms/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jocommunicationspr

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/mary-jo-fasan
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-22