JoAnne Bass

JoAnne “Jo” Bass is a strategic advisor who works with senior leaders and executives in complex, high-stakes environments at the intersection of national security, workforce, and global enterprise. She is the Founder of The Bass Group, where she advises organizations on leadership, strategy, and human capital in dynamic and risk-informed environments.

Jo previously served as the senior-most enlisted leader in the United States Air Force and was the first woman to hold the role, representing more than 680,000 service members and their families. In that capacity, she worked alongside senior civilian and military leaders to help guide policy, talent development, and organizational performance across a global enterprise comparable in size and complexity to a Fortune 10 company—with oversight and influence across multi-billion-dollar resources, operational risk, and mission readiness.

Her expertise spans leadership under pressure, enterprise-level workforce strategy, and building resilient, high-performing teams in uncertain environments. She brings particular focus to aligning talent, resources, and risk to drive effective decision-making and long-term organizational performance.

Jo currently serves on nonprofit boards and advises organizations across industry, education, and the veteran ecosystem. A sought-after speaker, she brings a practical, systems-oriented perspective to complex challenges, with a focus on connecting strategy, people, and execution to drive meaningful outcomes.