Joanne Heyob

SVP, Operations Strategy & Design

As Senior Vice President of Operations, Strategy & Design, Joanne is a visionary leader with more than 25 years of experience shaping innovative, growth-driven strategies for retail and restaurant brands. She leads WD’s Operations team, specializing in front- and back-of-house concept development, operational assessments, labor optimization, and logistical mapping across multiple verticals.

Known for her collaborative, business-first approach, Joanne works closely with strategy & insights, brand & design, and architecture teams to deliver solutions that are both creative and operationally sound. Her career includes leadership roles at Express, Frontgate, The Limited, and Victoria’s Secret, and she has partnered with brands such as Shake Shack, DICK’S Sporting Goods, Sweetgreen, Wawa, and White Castle. She is a frequent contributor to WD’s Wayfind blog, authoring POVs on the future of operations and guest experience, as well as a sought-after industry speaker, with appearances at events including RestaurantSpaces, Shoptalk, National Restaurant Association, and Google.

The most underrated leadership skill: Listening to understand instead of listening to speak.
The best advice I’ve ever received: You can always teach skills, but you can’t teach personality.
My ideal way to unplug: Working out, reading a good book and spending time with my family.

Named a Rethink Retail Top Retail Influencer of 2023 »