Jo Kirchner – Primrose Schools

As CEO of Primrose Schools, Jo Kirchner has a lifelong mission to deliver a nurturing environment and a quality early learning foundation to help children become confident adults who love who they are and what they do. Jo leads strategic direction and external brand leadership efforts for Primrose, including the launch of Primrose on Premise℠ employer-sponsored schools. She joined the company in 1990 as Vice President and became President and CEO in 1999. Under Jo’s leadership, Primrose has grown from four schools in metro Atlanta to nearly 400 schools nationwide. She serves as a member of the Primrose Early Learning Council and oversees the Primrose Schools Board of Directors. Jo also serves on the AdvancED Board of Trustees, making her the first individual to represent early childhood education on this 12-member, international board. Additionally, Jo is a trustee for the Committee for Economic Development of The Conference Board and currently serves as a co-chair, helping business leaders influence government policies related to early childhood education. Through the Primrose Promise℠ corporate social responsibility program and the Primrose Children’s Foundation® (which Jo founded), Primrose Schools has raised and donated more than $5.5 million to charities focused on the needs of at-risk children. In 2013, she helped form a long-term partnership with Save the Children®, the world’s top independent charity for children in need. Jo holds an associate degree in marketing from Ohio Career College. She lives on a horse farm in Dallas, Ga., with her husband, Rick. They have two grown children and two grandchildren.

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