With more than 20 years of experience in the philanthropic field and a degree in Social Work from Memorial University, Joanne’s knowledge and expertise have been instrumental to the success of major organizations over the years, including the Dalhousie Medical Research Foundation (DMRF) and the IWK Foundation. Over the past decade, Joanne has worked diligently to build and lead high performing teams, and has helped those teams raise millions of dollars through entrepreneurial thinking, meticulous vision, fundraising acumen and thoughtful leadership. Hailing from small-town Newfoundland, Joanne strongly values community, connection and genuine relationships—values upon which she has built her rewarding career. She prides herself on building genuine connections between donors and the causes she has supported and credits much of her success to understanding the value of relationships over transactions. Joanne is an active member in her community and has contributed to several volunteer boards over the years, including Hospice Halifax, Pier Labs, Chisholm Services for Children, and the Association of Fundraising Professionals of Nova Scotia. A strong believer in female ingenuity, Joanne is an investor in Sandpiper Ventures, which provides a platform where women investors and founders can radically disrupt the venture capital environment. Joanne and her husband, Andy, love to travel the world and live in Bedford with their little dog Fergus.