Bozoma “Boz” Saint John was born on January 21, 1977, in Middletown, Connecticut, to Ghanaian parents. She spent part of her childhood in Ghana before her family moved back to the United States. Her father, a former Ghanaian politician and professor, played a significant role in shaping her worldview.
She attended Wesleyan University, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in African-American Studies and English. Her passion for storytelling, culture, and representation began during her college years.
Bozoma Saint John’s career spans multiple industries, from music and entertainment to technology and streaming, making her one of the most recognized marketing executives in the world.
She started her career at PepsiCo, where she led music and entertainment marketing. She worked on high-profile campaigns, including Beyoncé’s endorsement deal and the Super Bowl Halftime Show sponsorships.
Saint John joined Beats by Dre as Head of Global Marketing, helping to shape its image as a global cultural brand. When Apple acquired Beats in 2014, she transitioned into a senior marketing role at Apple Music.
At Apple, she became Head of Global Consumer Marketing, leading major campaigns, including Apple Music’s advertising and brand storytelling. Her dynamic presentation at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in 2016 gained widespread attention.
She was hired as Chief Brand Officer at Uber, tasked with improving the company’s reputation after a series of scandals. She focused on brand transformation and diversity initiatives but left after a year.
Saint John became CMO of Endeavor, a global entertainment, sports, and fashion company.
In 2020, she became Netflix’s Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), making her one of the highest-ranking Black executives in Hollywood. She worked on promoting Netflix’s global brand but left after two years.
She released her memoir, The Urgent Life (2023), detailing her personal and professional journey, including the loss of her husband.
A strong advocate for diversity, inclusion, and representation in corporate spaces, she was named in Forbes’ Most Influential CMOs, Fast Company’s Most Creative People, and Fortune’s Most Powerful Women.
Bozoma was married to Peter Saint John, who passed away after battling cancer in 2013. She has a daughter, Lael, and frequently speaks about resilience, grief, and living life with urgency.
Bozoma Saint John is widely regarded as a trailblazer in marketing, known for her bold personality, storytelling expertise, and ability to connect brands with culture. She continues to inspire professionals and entrepreneurs worldwide.
