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. The recognition underscores the department's commitment to celebrating alumni who exemplify its values and have made significant contributions to their fields.
Johns credited her alma mater for shaping her professional approach. "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."
Her agency has gained notable recognition. Inc. Magazine has listed The Business Growers among the fastest-growing privately held companies in the Southeast. In 2024, Johns 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 earned 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 maintained strong ties to Mississippi Christian University, recently serving as president of the MC Alumni Board. In addition to leading her agency, she works as a speaker, author and communication consultant. Her continued involvement reflects a deep commitment to giving back to the institution that helped launch her career.
The announcement carries significance for current students and the broader university community. "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. Her story serves as a testament to the power of a communication education and the opportunities it can unlock. Johns and her husband, Jay, a worship pastor at The Way church in Brandon, have two sons, Levi and Wyatt.
