Mary Jo Mullen, PE, PMP

CEO & President

A college professor challenged Mary Jo as she prepared to graduate to do ‘more’ as an engineer.  He believed that engineering degrees should be used to serve and help people, making a difference in their lives.  Mary Jo found her passion while working at FEMA, responding to natural disasters, and working to make people safer from flooding.  When she left the government, she found that she had gained unique expertise in strategic planning and process improvement. In this realization, Mary Jo found that what she loved most in her work was helping groups of people have ‘a-ha!’ or ‘lightbulb’ moments that helped them grow and change themselves and their organizations. 

Mary Jo Mullen has spent her career and life finding ways to help others succeed.  Mary Jo has delivered projects and programs for engineering firms and the federal government for nearly 20 years.  She used this valuable experience and founded Advantage Strategy Consulting, Inc. Mary Jo is most passionate about working with entrepreneurs, small businesses, and non-profits who face additional challenges in growing and succeeding. She loves to be able to help these clients hit big milestones, make a huge impact, and achieve their dreams.

Mary Jo started her career as an engineer, focused on storms and floods.  In 2003, she joined the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) at the start of a billion-dollar initiative.  She managed $30 million in projects, and worked closely with hundreds of local communities and state partners. After 5 years, Mary Jo moved from a regional role to FEMA headquarters which allowed to engage more in policy and strategy.  Among her many accomplishments, she led the team that transformed the approach to delivering guidance for the $1 Billion mapping program.

In 2012, she returned home to Chicago, and to consulting.  During that time, she supported a large engineering firm in competing for and winning a $200 million federal contract. As Vice-President of Project Delivery, she oversaw a team of 40 staff and overhauled a quality management program for her department.

Mary Jo is a licensed Professional Engineer and certified Project Management Professional. She graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a BS in Civil Engineering. She is a proud process and planning geek, and has 3 wild and crazy boys. When not speaking, coaching, or consulting, you will find her at a pool or park laughing with her kids, watching mindless reality competition shows, or making spreadsheets just for fun.