Inspired People: Meet Jono

The faces behind the mission at Make-A-Wish^® America make up a group of diverse people working together toward a common goal: to grant life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. Our dynamic, inspired culture centers around five core values: child focus, integrity, impact, innovation and community. In our #InspiredPeople series, we highlight exceptional employees who exemplify these values and work hard to help us get closer to achieving our vision of granting the wish of every eligible child. Meet Jono.

Jono is a storyteller. As the leader of the national digital and brand communications teams, he finds and tells stories that help people better understand the life-changing impact of Make-A-Wish.

“From employees to volunteers to donors to wish families, the Make-A-Wish community is filled with rich and diverse points-of-view,” said Jono. “Not only listening, but also really hearing people and being open to different voices is essential.”

In 2018, Jono was part of a team that led the global repositioning and refresh of the Make-A-Wish brand. It took years of research and preparation and the involvement of stakeholders and chapters to launch this huge initiative. But, releasing a new brand wasn’t Jono’s only highlight in 2018.

“My niece Julia inspires me. She received her wish to visit Paris to shop for her senior prom dress in the summer of 2018. The courage and positivity she displayed while battling an extremely rare and very brutal critical illness has been an inspiration for our whole family.”

Whether in a cross-departmental brainstorm session or helping cross things off his niece’s shopping list in Paris, Jono not only believes in the transformative power of a wish – he lives it every day in the inspiring work he is able to do.

“Working at Make-A-Wish exposes you to so many smart people. I’ve learned more from my Make-A-Wish colleagues, and our board members and donors than I have at any other time in my career.”

We’re thankful that the Make-A-Wish community is also able to learn from you.

Want to know what it's like to be an inspired employee at Make-A-Wish? Follow #WishNation for more Inspired People stories! And if you are interested in transforming lives through work, visit the Make-A-Wish career page here.