Judy A. Habib

Judy A. Habib is an experienced Founder and CEO of integrated marketing services agency with clients from startups to Fortune 100. She has specific strengths in marketing and sales with focus on activating brands in a digital-first ecosystem, and driving talent acquisition and retention with ‘brand-inside’ programs catering to today’s millennial mindset, and experience across industries, with emphasis in health care (payor, provider, healthcare IT, medical device and diagnostics) as well as technology, financial services, real estate and hospitality. Ms. Habib’s current Board experience includes Vice-Chair for St Jude Children’s Research Hospital and President of the International Women’s Forum of Massachusetts.

Judy co-founded KHJ Brand Activation in 1986, today recognized as one of the region’s top independently-owned strategic branding agencies; advised B2B and B2C clients across multiple industries to support growth objectives, M&A alignment, product launches, and internal branding.  As  President and CEO, she led KHJ through two major acquisitions, three recessions, the pandemic crisis, and ownership transition.

In today’s socioeconomic environment, a strong brand is not just about increasing market share with a growing and loyal customer base, it’s about attracting talent. As we move closer and closer to a gig economy, there is a new social contract emerging between employer and employee – one that demands organizations to have authentic, purpose-driven missions that are well-articulated, both internally and externally. An exciting vision for brand success is of course critical, but values are foundational…and leadership is expected to model those values by their actions. Constant attention to the overall market landscape is key to maximizing brand presence and mitigating brand risk. Brand protection is base line, but brand pride can be the brass ring when it comes to optimizing the brand as a key corporate asset.

An astute observer of people, a deep listener for what’s possible, and an effective communicator, Judy has earned the respect of board colleagues and management for knowing how to “forward the conversation.” In board leadership, she ensures that board discourse is open, inclusive and productive.

Judy is currently Vice-Chair of St Jude Children’s Research Hospital and most recently Chair of ALSAC, the fundraising and brand awareness organization for St Jude, with 6,800 employees, fundraising $2B a year from 11 million supporters of St Jude’s mission of ‘Finding cures. Saving children.’ She is President of the Board of the Massachusetts Women’s Forum (a member of the International Women’s Forum). MWF membership is comprised of 200+ women of the highest rank and recognized achievement in the Commonwealth and beyond. She serves on the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce Board of Trustees

A native Bostonian, Judy started Boston College in the School of Nursing, transferred to the School of Management, co-founding the Association for Women in Management; launched a career in sales and became a top producer in the Industrial/Educational division of Scientific Products, followed by strategic planning and marketing for a Fortune 500 manufacturer of computer peripherals and office products. Through the years, Judy held Acting CMO roles for several clients in banking, real estate and health care, including a Blue Cross plan in PA prior to its acquisition by Highmark Blue Shield. She is an advocate of paying it forward with participation in various mentoring programs, including MIT’s Delta V for entrepreneurs.