As a business and economic development executive, Dr. Ioanna Morfessis has focused her professional life on helping communities and companies thrive and succeed. She founded three best-of-class economic development organizations in the U.S.: Economic Alliance of Greater Baltimore, Greater Phoenix Economic Council and Montgomery County, MD Department of Economic Development. During her tenure in these organizations, her work resulted in 300 successful business locations and expansions, the attraction of nearly $30 billion of private capital investment and the creation of more than 500,000 new direct private sector jobs in these markets.

In 2004, Dr. Morfessis established IO.INC, a visionary consulting practice that delivers expert and effective strategies and solutions to help leaders, organizations and places grow. IO.INC works with Fortune 500 companies, young enterprises, nonprofits, colleges and universities, and countries and cities across the U.S., assisting them with their growth strategies and board and organizational development. Business Management Magazine named IO.INC as a Top 10 Economic Consulting Services firm in 2024.

Among her many professional achievements, Dr. Morfessis served as the Chair of the International Economic Development Council and is an Honorary Lifetime Member. She is a recipient of IEDC’s Lifetime Excellence and Achievement Award, placing her among a select group among economic development executives.

She is a member of McKinsey Global Institute’s Executive Panel, Dow Jones Advisors, the Wall Street Journal’s Opinion Leaders Community, The Hartford’s Small Business Council and has authored and published several journal articles and op-eds in regional and national publications.

As a civic steward, Dr. Morfessis serves or has served on the boards of many local, state and national charities and non-profit organizations, including art and science museums, community foundations, private charitable trusts and service organizations. Throughout her career and since founding her business, she has received more than 45 regional, national and international awards for her innovation in economic and community development and for her contributions to the arts, education, business, philanthropic and entrepreneurial sectors.

She is a founding board member of the Helios Education Foundation, one of the largest education foundations in the U.S., which supports college access and success for students in Arizona and Florida.

Dr. Morfessis received her bachelor’s degree from The American University, her master’s degree from George Washington University and her doctorate from Arizona State University.