Innovator, Leader and CEO, Meet Jackie!

Follow the yellow brick road and you’ll find the real magic at Accelity.

We might not practice actual magic, but we do make bold ideas, and content, appear in the blink of an eye.

In this new blog series, we’re spotlighting the minds behind the work: the strategists, creatives, leaders and builders who make it all happen.

First up? The woman who started it all—our CEO, Jackie Hermes.

1. What has been the most exciting part of building Accelity?

Hitting 12 years in business is wild. Some days, it still feels like we’re just getting started (still!). The growth hasn’t just been professional, it’s been deeply personal, too. I’ve faced (and conquered) challenge after challenge. A lot of it is experience, some of it is aging, but mostly? It’s learning how to lead in a way that aligns with who I am. There have been so many wonderful milestones, it’s hard to choose. :)

2. If you were to write a book about your life, what would the title be?

I actually asked ChatGPT this one—some of the top contenders:

• Too Loud, Too Smart, Too Much: The Jackie Hermes Story
• The Business of Becoming Me
• Red Hair, Real Talk
• Strong Coffee & Stronger Convictions
• Lead Anyway

3. What is your guilty pleasure TV/music/movie?

Put me in a Bravo TV trivia competition and I will win.

Musically, I bounce between 2000s pop punk, 90s and 80s rock, and hip hop from those eras (90s and 2000s). Every once in a while, a new track sneaks into the playlist—but nostalgia wins.

4. Where would you like to see Accelity in 3 years?

Honestly, it’s less about revenue, team size or new office space. It’s about how it feels.

I want to be happy as hell. I want my business partner to be happy as hell. I want our team to be happy as hell. That means flexibility, being treated like adults, open and honest conversations and real support at work. That’s so much more important to me now than revenue or profit.

5. What advice do you have for someone looking to get started in marketing?

If you want to consult, talk to potential customers—revenue is the only metric that matters in the beginning. If you're looking for a job, get a mentor (or a few). Someone who will coach you and advocate for you. Marketing roles aren’t always easy to land—but you’ve got this!

​​6. What’s your favorite Milwaukee festival?

I can’t say I’m a big festival person. As I get older, the crowds sound less and less exciting—I’m more of an “I’ll take a concert with a seat any day” person.

7. If a friend/colleague were to bump into you in public, where would you most likely be?

I’m a creature of habit. You’ll find me:

• working out at F45 Lakefront
• eating at Cloud Red in Shorewood
• attending lots of Bucks games
• boating on the Milwaukee River and Lake Michigan in the summer
• going for walks in my neighborhood