Joanne grew up in a military family. She lived in Germany from 1972-76, where she discovered a love of culture and travel. After graduating from high school, she then went to college studying English, Creative Writing, and French. She then moved to Victoria, British Columbia (Canada) in 1990.

In the early 90's Joanne took acting classes and discovered a real love for the profession. Her first role was in the TV show_"Creepy Canada" (2002)_. Her first speaking role was in the TV show_"Terminal City" (2005)_ in a scene with Paul Soles. Some of her noted credits are_Pictures of Hollis Woods (2007) (TV)_Notes from the Heart Healer (2012), _Love in Store (2020)_, and _Brahms: The Boy II (2020)_.

Joanne also enjoys theatre and opera, notably playing Irish housekeeper Annie in the murder-mystery "Who Dunit" with St. Luke's Players in Victoria. She now lives in Halifax, Nova Scotia, where she continues to write and act, and is also exploring the beautiful maritime province while writing about her travels (https://the20-minutestroller.blogspot.com/). She is also actively promoting her children's book, "George: a Memoir" which has been helping people with grieving pet loss (partial proceeds from each sale are donated to animal rescue) and has just finished her debut novel, The Enforcer's Tale. You can check out her website at www.exclusivelyjk.com