Joanne recently retired from the public service following a distinguished career in Canada’s arts and cultural sector. Most recently, she served as Director General, Communications and Arts Engagement at the Canada Council for the Arts, where she safeguarded the integrity of the Canada Council’s brand and reputation, strengthened stakeholder relations (including donor engagement), and advanced the Canada Council’s framework for arts community engagement. As the Canada Council’s Official Languages Champion, she reinforced its leadership as a bilingual organization, and as accessibility steward she advocated for inclusive practices across programs, policies and services. Earlier in her career at the Canada Council, Joanne was Chief of Staff and Corporate Secretary, and before that Head of Prizes, responsible for a national program of prizes and fellowships. Prior to joining the Canada Council, she held curatorial and exhibitions management positions at the National Gallery of Canada.
Joanne also contributed her expertise through board service, including with the Governor General’s Performing Arts Awards Foundation (2009-2014) and the Association of Professional Executives of the Public Service of Canada (APEX, 2019-2022).
In retirement, Joanne is eager to continue contributing on governance matters and to volunteer for causes that matter most to her, remaining engaged in Canada’s cultural and community life.