Currently Joanna is a Council member on the Victorian Ministerial Advisory Council for Women’s Equality and also offers International Affairs, Policy and Leadership Advice from her consulting services. Joanna was previously the Executive Director of International Women's Development Agency. IWDA is the only Australian development agency solely focused on women's rights and gender equality.

Joanna has worked in international development and social justice since 1982. With an early career blending nursing and peace activism, Jo now has experience ranging across four continents and twenty five countries, her former roles include: Country Director for the Burnet Institute in Burma; Country Director for Save the Children UK in Vietnam; Senior Consultant with ACIL Pty Ltd; Programs and Policy Director with the Australian International Health Institute at University of Melbourne; and Regional Manager for Africa with the Overseas Service Bureau (13 countries).

Joanna managed her own consultancy firm with clients including UN agencies, governments and international NGOs. In this role she provides policy, evaluation and management services in relation to humanitarian assistance, national strategic planning, capacity development with civil society and institutional strengthening within government systems.

Areas of Expertise