The Mississippi Christian University Department of Communication has named Laura Pickard Johns the recipient of its 2026 Cliff Fortenberry Distinguished Alumna Award. Johns, a 2005 cum laude graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree, is the founder and CEO of The Business Growers, a marketing agency serving technology companies. The department honored her at the university's homecoming in October with a reception and recognition at the 2026 Homecoming Awards Brunch.
The award, presented annually since 1996, was renamed in 2021 for Cliff Fortenberry, a communication professor and former department chair who has spent more than 35 years on the faculty. The department itself was founded in 1950 by Drs. Hollis and Julia Todd. This recognition underscores the enduring value of a communication education and the university's commitment to celebrating alumni who apply those skills in the business world.
Johns credited her alma mater for her professional success. "The communication department at Mississippi Christian University taught me to write clearly, speak with purpose and listen first. I use those skills every day in building The Business Growers," she said. "Being recognized by the department that gave me that foundation, with an award that carries Dr. Cliff Fortenberry's name means the world to me."
Since founding The Business Growers, Johns has built a marketing agency focused exclusively on the technology sector. Inc. Magazine has recognized the agency as one of the fastest-growing privately held companies in the Southeast. In 2024, she received a Gold Stevie Award in the Best Female Entrepreneur-Small Business category at the Stevie Awards for Women in Business in New York. In 2025, she received a Silver Stevie Award for Achievement in Developing and Promoting Women, a cause she has made a personal priority. The Mississippi Business Journal has named her to its Top 50 Under 40 list and its list of the Top 50 Leading Women in Business.
Johns has remained closely connected to Mississippi Christian University since graduating and recently served as president of the MC Alumni Board. In addition to leading the agency, she works as a speaker, author and communication consultant. Her achievements demonstrate the potential for graduates to translate a communication degree into entrepreneurial success and industry recognition.
"I hope current students, especially the young women in the program, see that a degree from MC can take them anywhere, including running their own company," Johns added. She and her husband, Jay, a worship pastor at The Way church in Brandon, have two sons, Levi and Wyatt.
The award highlights the growing influence of Mississippi Christian University's communication program and the broader impact of its alumni network. For readers in the business and technology sectors, Johns's story illustrates how strong communication skills can drive business growth and foster leadership, particularly for women entrepreneurs. As companies increasingly seek leaders who can articulate vision and build relationships, the recognition of Johns's accomplishments serves as a testament to the power of a liberal arts education in today's competitive marketplace.
