Mario Jovan, an artist, storyteller, and executive leadership coach, uses skills to empower executives and leaders of color, fostering their impact within their organizations.

His journey began as a 7th-grade teacher in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools under the Teach for America program. Witnessing the needs of young black males in his classroom, Mario founded the Brotherhood, a program addressing their specific challenges. Motivated by the lack of male educators of color, Mario co-founded a successful organization, Profound Gentlemen, aimed at tackling this issue, where he supported a team of academic coaches who remarkably retained 98% of male teachers of color annually. Through coaching practices, Mario also maintained a 98% retention rate among his team members.

Having experienced the transformative power of executive coaching firsthand, Mario credits his own coach for enabling him to make a significant impact in the nonprofit sector. He intimately understands the hurdles faced by people of color in leadership roles, whether as executive directors or emerging leaders, and is deeply committed to providing support.

Recognized by 'Forbes 30 Under 30' as a leading social innovator dedicated to empowering leaders of color, Mario continues his mission to nurture individuals and teams in their leadership journey. He is the founder and visionary behind Messy Roots, a coaching organization tailored for leaders of color, and holds certifications as a coach, mindfulness instructor, and RYT 200 Yoga Instructor.

Mario is also the author of the Inside Out Journal, offering insights and guidance for personal and professional development.