Jo (she/they) grew up off the grid in a rural Tennessee Amish/Mennonite community but is now navigating her own way within the worlds of fashion, marketing, and technology. She lives in central Ohio with her husband, 2 kids, cat, dogs, fish, potbelly pig, and a mockingbird in a pear tree.

She currently works as a fashion educator & consultant with her consultancy firm Mellissa Jochele, teaches fashion at Hocking College in Central Ohio, runs her own inclusive & sustainable fashion company MJOCHELE, and co-chairs the “diversity-in-fashion” focused organization/runway show Passport 2 Fashion while serving on the Passport 2 Fashion board. Additionally, she volunteers her time as a Marketing Lead for CFDA Connects partner Columbus Fashion Council, & sits on the board for Rise Up Arts Alliance and Central Ohio Costumers Guild.
Professionally, she holds memberships with:
DE-FI/CFDA Connect, Columbus Fashion Council, Columbus Fashion Alliance, Central Ohio Costumers Guild, International Association of Professional Fashion Designers, Fashion Group International, & Costume Society of America

Interested in having Jo consult with you on a project or a speaking engagement?