Dr. JoAnn Rolle

Dr. JoAnn Rolle is founder and CEO of JoAnn Rolle Consulting and Past President of the National HBCU Business Deans Roundtable, bringing over 35 years of transformative leadership across global development, higher education, and corporate sectors. One of the first African-American women to earn a Ph.D. in Economics from Howard University, Dr. Rolle has established herself as a visionary leader bridging Africa-diaspora networks with global economic transformation.

Her early career exemplifies the international perspective essential to Global TIES Alliance’s mission. She worked with the U.S. government, IBM, her own consulting firm, and even with a World Bank project in Tanzania before entering academia, providing her with firsthand experience in the Trade, Investment, Education, and Sustainability pillars that define the Alliance’s work.

As Dean of the School of Business at Medgar Evers College, CUNY, Dr. Rolle demonstrated her commitment to African-led innovation by launching the Entrepreneurship & Experiential Learning Lab (EEL) in 2015, through which Medgar Evers College teams have studied entrepreneurship in ten countries, published in excess of 10 papers, and initiated four international agreements. This work directly aligns with Global TIES Alliance’s focus on diaspora engagement and cross-border partnerships.

Her prior career includes diverse leadership roles as CEO of a university, Chief Academic Officer, and executive at IBM, demonstrating the strategic acumen essential for systems-level impact. As a Future of Work Ambassador for Experfy, she continues to shape global conversations about inclusive economic development and workforce transformation.

Dr. Rolle’s expertise in diaspora engagement is evidenced through her specialization in identifying market needs, optimizing resource allocation, and fostering innovation, with particular focus on promoting diversity and inclusion within the education, finance, and technology sectors. Her book Tech-Enabled Futures: Elevating Education in Underserved Areas (2024) addresses critical gaps in global technological inclusion—a key component of sustainable development.

As an internationally recognized scholar affiliated with the Institute for New Economic Thinking, Dr. Rolle emphasizes the critical role of entrepreneurship and technology in revitalizing local economies and addressing societal issues. Her work at the United Nations and other global forums positions her as a trusted voice in international development circles. Her global perspective is further demonstrated through her role as Senior Business Advisor at BairesDev and her international speaking engagements spanning from Oxford University conferences to entrepreneurship forums across multiple continents. Her professional journey spans across continents and sectors—from Tanzania to the US federal government—with lived experiences as a Black woman in global business environments fueling her passionate advocacy for racial equity. Dr. Rolle’s academic credentials include a Ph.D. in Economics (Howard University), M.A. in Economics (Southern Illinois University), and B.B.A. (University of Miami), complemented by executive education at Harvard University. Her research focuses on urban economics, human resources, and entrepreneurship—areas directly relevant to Africa’s industrial transformation.

For Global TIES Alliance, Dr. Rolle brings the unique combination of diaspora leadership, international development experience, and proven ability to build cross-border partnerships that advance inclusive economic growth. Her track record of transforming educational institutions, fostering entrepreneurship across continents, and connecting African communities with global opportunities makes her an ideal strategic advisor for an organization committed to forging Africa’s industrial rise through global partnerships.