Jo Goldman is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of THEANIMALS™, a first-to-market species-fluid fashion brand that designs runway-inspired pieces for pets and their owners. Born in Zimbabwe, Jo grew up surrounded by art, nature, and animals, which have informed and driven her passions and professional career throughout her life. After completing an Honours Degree in Fine Art and Industrial Psychology, Jo pursued a career in the fashion industry, where her career spanned all facets of the industry, including design, trend analysis, buying, sourcing, product development, and management. Before founding THEANIMALS™, Jo’s most recent role was Chief Executive Officer at Australia-based company Hotsprings Pty Ltd, where she identified and managed brands including PE Nation, Rebecca Vallance, Lover, and Cooper St. She later assumed the role of CEO of Christopher Esber, a global women’s fashion brand,. 

Reflecting on her 25+ year career in the corporate sector, Jo became increasingly aware of how fashion manufacturing and corporate behaviors can detrimentally impact the order of the natural world. Taking a brief sabbatical during the 2020 COVID-19 lockdown, she considered the mutually beneficial relationships that humans have with their pets and other animals. This intuition of the human/animal bond led to the creation of THEANIMALS™. 

THEANIMALS™ challenges the rules that have traditionally divided animals and their humans by allowing people to share their personal style with their much-loved pets. Inspired by global fashion trends, THEANIMALS™ offers pets and their owners a tightly curated selection of matching fashion accessories and lifestyle products. Everything THEANIMALS™ creates is consciously designed. The inaugural Resort 2023 collection includes leather goods and jewelry that can be worn jointly by animals and humans. 

Industry bible Ragtrader recognized Jo as one of the most influential leaders in the Australian apparel industry, and she was awarded MYER Supplier of the Year in 2012. Jo is an active committee member of the Young Presidents Organisation (YPO) and a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. She advocates for diversity, inclusion, and empowerment for women in business. She sits on several advisory boards and mentors aspiring leaders and fashion brands. Jo practices and believes in the benefits of mindfulness, meditation, and yoga and how overall mental and physical well-being sustains personal happiness and professional success. She lives in Sydney with her husband, two daughters and Rosie the beagelier.