Breaking Into an Industry That Wasn’t Built for Her
Bozoma Saint John didn’t follow a typical career path. Born in the U.S. and raised in Ghana and Colorado, she had a global perspective and a vibrant personality that didn’t always match corporate culture. But from the beginning, she knew the value of being different. After college, she worked her way into the music industry, then into marketing roles at Spike TV and PepsiCo—constantly moving up by delivering results and staying true to her creative instincts.
Making Her Mark at Beats and Apple
Saint John’s big leap came when she joined Beats Music in 2014 as Head of Global Marketing. There, she built campaigns that blended culture, emotion, and storytelling—something the tech world often lacked. When Apple acquired Beats, she transitioned into a senior role at Apple Music. At the 2016 Apple Worldwide Developers Conference, she gave a standout presentation that was bold, authentic, and unlike anything the audience had seen before. In that moment, she proved that owning your identity could be a business asset.
Pushing Forward After Personal Tragedy
Just as her career was taking off, Saint John faced a devastating personal loss. Her husband, Peter, passed away from cancer, leaving her a single mother to their young daughter. The grief was deep, but she chose to move forward—not by hiding her pain, but by using it to fuel her work and speak more openly about what strength really looks like. Her willingness to talk about loss and healing made her leadership more human and her story even more powerful.
Leading With Vision at Uber and Netflix
Saint John took bold roles at some of the world’s most visible companies. She joined Uber in 2017 as Chief Brand Officer during a turbulent time, tasked with helping repair the company’s public image. Later, she moved to Endeavor, and in 2020, became Chief Marketing Officer at Netflix. At each stop, she brought energy, inclusivity, and cultural fluency to brands that needed to evolve. Her leadership wasn’t just about marketing—it was about reshaping company values from the inside out.
Challenging Stereotypes With Style and Substance
Saint John is known for her bold fashion, expressive communication, and larger-than-life presence. But beneath all of that is discipline, strategic thinking, and hard-won experience. She’s made it clear that success doesn’t require you to tone down who you are. Instead, she’s shown that authenticity, when combined with excellence, can change the way entire industries operate. Her presence challenges the mold of what leadership looks like—and widens the path for others to follow.
Teaching the Power of Emotional Intelligence
Alongside her business achievements, Saint John often speaks about emotional intelligence, empathy, and personal growth. She emphasizes the importance of building trust, listening deeply, and leading with vulnerability—skills that are becoming more essential in modern leadership. Through interviews, talks, and mentorship, she encourages others to embrace their full selves while pursuing ambitious goals.
Redefining What It Means to Persist
Bozoma Saint John’s career is a masterclass in persistence—not just staying the course, but staying true to yourself as you move forward. She’s succeeded in some of the toughest environments by combining creative power with personal resilience. Her story proves that pushing through adversity doesn’t mean hiding your struggles—it means owning your story and turning it into something that can lead and inspire.
