Jo Giles joined the Women’s Fund in May of 2021. Around the office you’ll find her smiling and laughing, encouraging others and dreaming of the next big thing. Jo was recently voted “most likely to lead a revolution” by her teammates.
Before joining the team, Jo was the Policy and Training Director for the Coalition for a Strong Nebraska (CSN), where she created training sessions for members and others in the nonprofit sector, to be able to participate more fully in the public policy advocacy process. She is also an award-winning media relations professional and journalist, and was a television reporter/anchor for Omaha’s KPTM Fox 42 News.
Jo has a master’s degree in journalism from the University of Missouri-Columbia, a bachelor’s degree in psychology and African American studies from Washington University in St. Louis, and a certificate in public health from the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Jo enjoys community service and is the current board member of several organizations including KIOS Omaha Public Radio, Omaha Community Foundation and Omaha Public Library Foundation. She was also a member of Leadership Omaha Class 37. In her spare time, Jo is an avid reader, enjoys running and spending time with her family, including her husband, their son and their doodle.
Here’s a little bit more about our strategic, big-hearted, insightful Executive Director:
Q: How long have you been at the WFO?
JG: I’m celebrating my 4-year anniversary at the Women’s Fund. It’s been a whirlwind, but I love (most days) the opportunity for our team to do meaningful and impactful generational work.
Q: Where are you from?
JG: I was born in Atlanta, GA and grew up in South Georgia and Florida.
Q: Do you have any pets? What are their names?
JG: One dog—Hooper, a black and white goldendoodle. It’s technically my son’s dog but you know how that goes with teenagers.
Q: What are your “big 3” astrology signs (moon/rising/sun)?
JG: I have no idea. If you know, please explain it to me. I do know that I’m a Libra.
Q: What is your Enneagram number? Or Meyers-Briggs? Etc?
JG: Okay, I know this one. I’m an Enneagram # 3—Achiever.
Q: What are your top 5 favorite albums?
JG: Do you mean actual albums? My first record was The Empire Strikes Back, a 45. I still have it, however, I don’t own a record player.
Q: Do you have a secret talent?
JG: Yes—several but if I told you they wouldn’t be secrets anymore. Here’s what I will share: During my childhood, I was a competitive gymnast and can still do a cartwheel with great form (9/10). Also, I played and studied classical piano from childhood through high school. I still love to play and listen to Mozart and Bach.
Q: Give me two truths and a lie (and tell me which is which):
JG: – During my childhood, I participated and won oratorical contests. (True)
– I like shopping for office supplies. (True)
– I enjoy camping outdoors. (LIE).
Q: Do you have a moment that really galvanized your feminism?
JG: I don’t recall a particular moment. For as long as I can remember, I noticed inequities that exist in a patriarchal system and have spoken up about them—often to the chagrin of others around me. My lived experience at the intersections of race and gender offers many opportunities to examine systems through that lens and work toward gender equity.
Q: Do you have a favorite Women’s Fund memory?
JG: So many memories: growing our Women’s Fund team, youth engagement and advocacy for comprehensive sexual health education, the launch of our sexual health vending machines, passing bills to support survivors (i.e., domestic violence death review team, pets and protection orders), public policy advocacy (paid sick leave and abortion access), the growth of our leadership program, Circles, and every year an inspiring Lead the Change luncheon with incredible speakers. It’s hard to pick a favorite.
Q: Can you share something funny or cringeworthy from your career?
JG: During my stint covering city government as a reporter in Georgia, I didn’t hear the music to signal the start of the live 12 noon broadcast. So, when the anchor said: “Jo Giles is live at city hall with more. Jo?” I thought we were practicing, doing a mic check, so I responded: “Yes, Chuck, city councilors are debating the tree ordinance for a development…blah, blah, blah, blah, blah.” Long pause, where I’m not staring at the camera and fixing my bangs. The anchor says, “Go ahead Jo, you’re on the air.” I responded with, “Oh my goodness, I’m sorry.” I recovered, turned the page in my notebook and then delivered the live report. At the grocery store, later, a woman recognized me and said “Oh, I know you, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah”; and I wanted to hide forever.
Q: How do you find joy or hope these days?
JG: I find hope in a community of like-minded people who still believe democracy is worth fighting for; that we all thrive when everyone can reach their full potential. I try to remind myself, every day, to focus on a small moment of joy—a laugh with a family member or friend, a dance song, a snuggle with the dog, exercise, going to the library, reading, a moment to color or do a word search to rest my brain and being fully present in those moments.
Q: What are your currently reading/listening to?
JG: I love to read and usually have three-four books going at any time. Right now, it’s:
- Headshot by Rita Bullwinkel
- The Wedding People by Alison Espach (current book club pick)
- Wayward Lives, Beautiful Experiences by Saidiya Hartman (working through OPL’s 2025 Reading Challenge)
Q: What would be the title of your memoir?
JG: Catching Flies with Honey: How Kindness and Persistence Can Transform