Joanne has over twenty-five years senior executive leadership experience, starting her career in the United Kingdom, National Health Service, as a nurse. She went on to become a senior health care leader in London working in emergency departments, intensive care units and helicopter emergency services. She was a first responder and incident controller for a range of mass trauma events from terrorist bombings to road and rail crashes.
Joanne headed overseas for 15 years, working in countries ranging from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe for the UK Government, the World Health Organisation and UNICEF with a focus on health system strengthening and leading the response to range of disasters and emergency situations.
Coming to Australia, Joanne worked for AusAID/Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade leading international health programs and Australia’s response to major disasters across the world.
Joanne joined the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services in 2019 where she was the first female Assistant Commissioner leading disaster response. Her last role was as the Deputy Commissioner, Chief Officer of Rural Fire Services and the State Emergency Services leading 30,000 volunteers. She was state commander of operations during major events such as the 2019 black summer bushfires, floods, cyclones and during COVID-19 took on the Commissioner Quarantine Services.
Joanne has now returned to the health sector joining the Australian Digital Health Agency in 2024 as the Chief Operating Officer with a focus national digital heath infrastructure, products and services covering over 23 million Australians.