50 Leading Women: Jo Via

In honor and celebration of our Women’s Division‘s 50th Anniversary, we will be spotlighting 50 Leading Women making an impact, raising their voice, and leading the next generation of women in the workforce and Plano community.

Introducing, Jo Via, Executive Director of Plano Balloon Festival, Inc. Jo Via has served as the Executive Director of the BELOVED Plano Balloon Festival, Inc. since 1991. The award-winning festival is a non-profit agency that has circulated more than $3 million back into the community by partnering with other charitable organizations and creating opportunities to expand their visibility. Jo was recognized in 2016 by the Texas Festivals & Events Association as the recipient of the Hall of Honor Lifetime Achievement Award. As a resident of the City of Plano for more than 45 years, Jo has given back to numerous organizations and is known as a pillar of the community. She has been recognized for her impact by receiving numerous awards including the Athena Award presented by the Plano Chamber of Commerce, Distinguished Leadership Award presented by Leadership Plano, and the Volunteer of the Year Award presented by the Volunteer Center of Collin County. Jo has additionally served in leadership roles for the Plano Rotary Club, Junior League of Collin County, Hope’s Door New Beginning Center, CITY House, Crisis Center of Collin County, Cultural Arts Commission, Plano Chamber of Commerce, and a graduate of the Leadership Plano Class 6. Jo, thank you for all that you have done and continue to do for our amazing city!

1. Describe your leadership style and how you lead others.

I try not to get bogged down in thinking we must do something in the same way that it’s always been done.  I want to look for solutions and new ideas, offering options for new direction or ways to improve on what is currently in place.  Providing input to others regarding a possible vision for change/improvement and helping them see, outside the box, a possible option not previously considered.

2. How can women develop their leadership skills in the workforce?

Engagement and commitment are what I would consider key components to a successful workplace.  You can have all the right types of education or training, but if you’re not engaged and committed you can’t make a difference.

3. What are the most important decisions you make as a leader?

Taking responsibility for the decisions you make, if the buck stops with you, then own it (good or bad).

 4. What has been one of your biggest joys as a leader?

My greatest joy is watching the Plano Balloon Festival grow and change in the 30+ years that I have been it’s Executive Director.  To look back at where it was and look forward to today’s event, the transformation is incredible.  The financial impact the event has made on local area non-profit organizations (over 3 million dollars back into the community) speaks volumes about the commitment of the Plano and Collin County community.

5. What has been your greatest career disappointment? What did you learn from it?

The greatest disappointment to me was something I had no control over, it was the catastrophic flood that impacted the 2018 Festival.  Seeing the devastation, the loss that so many vendors and sponsors experienced, the financial loss to the local non-profit community, created a significant impact on so many that rely on the event for funding.  I learned there are some things that are outside of what a person can control.

6. What strategies could be used to promote inclusion in the workplace?

In my opinion, some very simple words could make all the difference in the workplace: have an open mind, treat others with kindness, do the right thing, are just a few of the phrases I embrace.

7. What advice would you give your 25-year-old self?

Do what you love, so you will love what you do!

8. What advice can you give to the next generation of female leaders?

Be aware of how you can make a difference and then step up and be the one that makes that difference.

9. Who inspired you and why?

My Father was my inspiration.  He was committed to his family, friends, work and his community.  He was engaged and left his community a better place because he was part of the process (often times the driving force) that made a difference.

10. What do you want to be remembered for? 

The same things that led my Father, strong family and friend commitment and the leadership of an event that has impacted our community for decades.