Orlena Nwokah Blanchard

Orlena Nwokah Blanchard is an award-winning entrepreneur and innovative leader behind game-changing social impact movements and marketing programs for some of the world’s biggest brands. She is an astute cultural marketing strategist and one of the chief architects of the CROWN Act movement to end race-based hair discrimination nationwide. Recently recognized on the Root 100 list of most influential Black Americans, Orlena has been building value for corporations and communities for nearly three decades.   

Orlena is the founder and managing partner of Seven Elements Group, a Culture First business strategy and marketing firm specializing in purpose-led business strategies and consumer engagement. Prior to Seven Elements, Orlena was co-owner of JOY Collective, a cultural insights marketing and creative agency which she and her partner grew to a multimillion-dollar, awardwinning agency recognized nationally for its social-impact and purpose-driven marketing work. As JOY’s lead cultural insights expert and marketing strategist, Orlena has developed inclusive marketing strategies for a diverse portfolio of clients including the United States Naval  Academy, Dove, Dove Men+Care, OWN, WW, Tory Burch, SheaMoisture, Google Fiber and more. Before JOY, Orlena served as the Executive Director of the Black Media Matters Consortium and as the former head of digital media for TV One. She has also worked for world renown brands including Andersen Consulting (Accenture), American Express, the Corporate Executive Board, and Time Warner Cable.  

Orlena holds a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering from Purdue University and an MBA from The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. She is a multinational citizen of Nigeria, the UK, the US and Canada, and a fiercely proud wife and mother of three sons