// Workers AI · dad joke modeWho's Jo Cato? A purr-cato.
Jo Cato | |
|---|---|
| Born | Jo Amaka Cato 25 February 1965 |
| Education | |
| Occupations | Businesswoman, and Public servant |
| Years active | 2004- present |
| Title | Founder and CEO of the Periwinkle Group |
Political party | Democratic Party |
Jo Amaka Cato (born February 25, 1965), is an American businesswoman and public servant based in Nevada. She is the founder and CEO of the Periwinkle Group, a marketing and public relations firm, and has held roles in Nevada business and civic organizations before running for the Nevada State Assembly in 2026.[1]
Background
[edit]Cato was born on 25 February 1965 in Jamaica and moved to the United States in 1994.[2] She attended Holy Childhood High School in Kingston.[3] Cato earned a bachelor's degree in economics from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and a master's degree in economics from George Washington University.[4]
Career
[edit]In 2004, Cato founded the Periwinkle Group, a Las Vegas marketing, public relations and communications firm with offices in Las Vegas, Massachusetts, Nigeria, and Ghana.[5][6] In 2024, Periwinkle Group received the U.S. Small Business Administration's Woman-Owned Business of the Year award for Nevada.[2]
Public service
[edit]Cato served as a Planning Commissioner for the City of North Las Vegas from 1999 to 2011, holding both the chairman and vice chairman roles.[7] She later served on the Governor's Workforce Development Board under Governor Brian Sandoval and on the Nevada State Apprenticeship Council.[8] She has been active in the African Chamber of Commerce and Tourism and the Southern Nevada chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners.[9] She became president of the Southern Nevada chapter of NAWBO in 2026. In 2018, Cato appeared before the Nevada Legislature's Senate Committee on Government Affairs as a representative of the African Chamber of Commerce.[10]
Political career
[edit]In 2026, Cato ran as a Democrat for the open Nevada State Assembly seat representing District 1, following incumbent Daniele Monroe-Moreno's decision not to seek reelection.[8] Her campaign focused on small-business development, workforce development, housing affordability, education, and support for veterans. Cato placed second behind Alexis Esparza.[11][12][13]
Recognition
[edit]- 2018: Entrepreneur of the Year award from the National Association of Women Business Owners.[14]
- 2024: Named Among the Top 10 Women of Excellence by Womenpreneur Magazine US Edition.[3]
- 2024: The U.S. Small Business Administration Woman-Owned Business of the Year award for Nevada.[3]
- 2025: The Forbes 50 Over 50 list.[15]
References
[edit]- ↑ Staff, VEGAS INC (2025-09-25). "Women Inspiring Nevada: Jo Cato, President and CEO of Periwinkle Group - VEGAS INC". vegasinc.lasvegassun.com. Retrieved 2026-09-07.
- 1 2 "Women + Money, Jo Cato". NVigate. Retrieved September 1, 2026.
- 1 2 3 PeriwinkleGroup. "Jo Cato Recognized as a 2025 Women Inspiring Nevada Honoree by Vegas Inc". PRLog. Retrieved 2026-09-07.
- ↑ "Jo Cato". BallotReady. Retrieved September 1, 2026.
- ↑ "C-SUITE: Jo Cato, CEO Periwinkle Group". Las Vegas Business Press. July 10, 2018. Retrieved September 1, 2026.
- ↑ "Las Vegas Sun busprofiles" (PDF). Las Vegas Sun. 2008. Retrieved September 1, 2026.
- ↑ "Jo Cato". WELCOME. Retrieved 2026-09-05.
- 1 2 Mondschein, Matthew (May 4, 2026). "Republican union official switches parties to run as Democrat in state Assembly primary". Nevada Current. Retrieved September 1, 2026.
- ↑ Dewey, Todd (2026-03-17). "'An exciting time': Women business owners organization relaunches Southern Nevada chapter". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved 2026-09-07.
- ↑ "Senate Committee on Government Affairs, April 8, 2019" (PDF). Nevada Legislature. April 8, 2019. Retrieved September 1, 2026.
- ↑ "Primary Election Results". The Nevada Independent. June 2026. Retrieved September 1, 2026.
- ↑ "Jo Cato". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2026-09-02.
- ↑ "2026 Nevada primary election results live blog". The Nevada Independent. June 10, 2026. Retrieved September 1, 2026.
- ↑ Staff, VEGAS INC (2018-07-09). "People on the Move: July 9, 2018 - VEGAS INC". vegasinc.lasvegassun.com. Retrieved 2026-09-07.
- ↑ Sairam, Erin Spencer. "Why The Non-Linear Career Path Is Your Friend—And Other Advice From The 50 Over 50". Forbes. Archived from the original on 2026-09-01. Retrieved 2026-09-07.