Joi Freeman —
The brand futurist
who loves a good story

Joi Freeman is a brand futurist who combines deep insights with cultural forecasts and emerging trends to help brands stay relevant in a rapidly changing world. From advising Fortune 500 brands to activating social movements, Joi specializes in translating cultural shifts into strategic growth and positioning brands to lead with purpose and agility.

With expertise at the crossroads of brand, innovation, and social impact, she equips companies, nonprofits, and cities to not only adapt to the future but to define it. As Founder & CEO of Remnant Strategy and Remnant Futures Lab, Joi partners with organizations and governments to architect inclusive brands, build innovation ecosystems, and advance development. Prior to Remnant Strategy, Joi led launches and transformations for some of the world's most well-known brands; including developing marketing that 3x the fundraising revenue for the YMCA’s national youth anti-hunger initiative, launching “Us,” the Y’s national brand campaign, repositioning Claire’s store’s $25 million ear piercing business, and creating the Ad Council’s first pet-focused campaign The Shelter Pet Project. 

Joi is a Chicago Council on Global Affairs 2021 Emerging Leader Fellow, a Youth Social Impact Scholar at the Kellogg School of Management, and served as a Jobs For the Future Entrepreneur-in-Residence. She also serves on several non-profit boards, including alt_ Chicago and Together Chicago. Joi is pursuing a PhD in Economics from The New School for Social Research. She earned her MBA from Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management and a B.A. in Literature of the African Diaspora and Creative Writing from the University of Maryland.