Joan recently retired from the post of Distinguished Public Servant in Residence at Ryerson University, where she held the position from 2010 to 2015.
From 1991 to 2005 Joan held the post of Assistant Deputy Minister in a variety of ministries, including the Ministry of the Environment (Policy and Planning and Environmental Sciences and Standards), the Cabinet Office (Ontario Public Service Restructuring Secretariat), the Ministry of Education and Training (Training Division), and the Ministry of Skills Development, Education and Training.
From 2005 to 2009 she was the Deputy Minister in the Government of Ontario’s Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration, and was also responsible for women’s issues and policies related to seniors. In this capacity, she exercised leadership on policies and programs related to immigration (selection, settlement and integration), language training and international credential recognition, as well as voluntarism, civic engagement, citizen recognition and awards programs. She led the ministry through a realignment of programs and an expansion of mandate and she worked to promote policies and programs to enhance women’s equality with a particular focus on the prevention of violence against women and fostering women’s economic security.
Joan is currently the Vice Chair of the Niagara Parks Commission, a member of the Community Impact Committee at United Way Toronto & York Region, a member of the Editorial Board at the Mowat Centre, and sits on the Board of Lifeline Syria.
