what our clients say

JOANNA IS AN ABSOLUTE STAR. SHE'S BRIGHT, VIBRANT, LOVELY, AND I CAN'T CATCH UP WITH HER.

We lead workshops together in her diversity projects. It’s good to work with somebody who has the lived experience and is able to co-produce about the diversity she’s advocating. She's easy to get on with and flexible, which is great when we plan, because at times, other stuff gets in the way. We’d be happy to work with Joanna again. 

Eleanor Lisney FRSA
Disability Equality Consultant
Sisters of Frida

JOANNA STARTED A VERY POSITIVE CONVERSATION IN THE AGENCY AROUND WHAT OUR DIVERSITY OFFERING IS

and how best we can accommodate not only adults in business, but work experience too. She was extremely open about her early life getting into work, which has informed how she advises business, and adds an extremely raw and personal touch to how she advises too. I look forward to picking Joanna’s brain more in the future! 

Joely Richardson
HR Co-ordinator
Portas. Creative Communication Agency

JOANNA’S STRENGTH IS IN HER LIVED EXPERIENCES, HER PASSION AND DRIVE. HEARING HER SHARE HER OWN EXPERIENCES IN THE WORKING WORLD AS A YOUNG GRADUATE, IT’S CLEAR SHE’s FELT THE BRUNT OF COMPANIES THAT WEREN’T CONSIDERATE OF DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION WITHIN THE WORKPLACE.

Her passion and drive mean she’s putting all her efforts into doing what she can to ensure future generations don’t have to navigate the same difficulties. Building a team with members from different minority groups means the advice is practical and proven, and takes away the risk of being condescending in your efforts to include, which can often happen despite all the best intentions in the world. At Habito, we’ve always taken diversity and inclusion seriously. Our work within the mortgage industry centres on breaking the traditions of the mortgage industry, and making mortgages accessible for all. One of the positives of being a fin-tech start-up is it’s an environment that naturally attracts a set of candidates from different cultures and backgrounds. Working with Joanna has helped remind us there’s always more to be done. Our session has also highlighted throughout the company that this doesn’t necessarily mean massive changes to your hiring procedures, but it’s also what you do for the workforce you already have in place. There are simple changes individuals within your organisation can make on a day-to-day basis. We’re reviewing our D&I strategy, and the methods and tools we use to attract new talent. We’ll be looking at what we’re already doing and identifying new areas of focus. D&I is a changing beast. As the world around us evolves, it’s important to us at Habito that we not only advocate, but also ensure we’re at the forefront of D&I at Habito.

Richmal Allen
Head of Customer Success
Habito

COMPLETELY COLLABORATIVE APPROACH, ENGAGING AND PASSIONATE PEOPLE – FEEL LIKE PART OF THE TEAM.

Joanna always has a workable solution, or knows someone else who does! She’s provided expert support, introductions to other specialists, and invaluable diversity focus groups that have really given insight and instigated change. Without her help, we wouldn’t have had the necessary knowledge or understanding on which to build our strategy. This has given us the confidence to move forward, knowing we’re doing the right things at the right time. Joanna feels part of the BAM team, a very special person with huge empathy, passion, and drive. When she talks, people listen—because she has humility and her own diversity story to share. 

Shelley Caton
Head of Diversity and Inclusion,
BAM Nuttall

Joanna has been a non-executive board member for Investors in People for 2 years now. Her contribution to our organisation has been invaluable.

She’s immensely diligent to ensure approaches, discussions, and activities that are taken are reviewed and prioritised through an inclusive lens. She has such a unique perspective and view on things, and not only does she bring strategic direction, support for the executive team, and a fresh perspective to the board room, she also emphasises getting to know the wider team. She shared her inspirational story with the entire organisation, which has encouraged many of our team members to aim higher; they’ve specifically spoken about how much it inspired and encouraged them. This type of commitment and passion is rare in board members, and a testament to how zealous she is about the work she takes on. Joanna’s contributions to the Investors in People board is immense, and we hope she’ll continue working with us for years to come. 

Dora Birna Sigurjonsdottir
Director of Marketing
Investors In People

JOANNA LISTENED TO OUR PLANS TO HOLD AN EXTERNAL NETWORKING EVENT AND PUT FORWARD IDEAS BASED ON HER OWN EXPERIENCE TO BUILD THIS INTO SOMETHING THAT WOULD HAVE MUCH MORE IMPACT.

She understood what we were trying to achieve and worked collaboratively and positively with me to build a great event. She’s passionate and inspiring and helped to give an idea momentum. She took it from concept to an engaging event. She’s helped us build our network within a like-minded sector, with diverse groups of people we might not otherwise have engaged with or built relationships with. We’d love to work with Joanna again for enthusiasm, ideas, ability to turn a concept into reality, personal style, and ease of collaborating with. She has expertise and an opinion I trust, and is somebody I regard very highly. 

Emma Brown
Deputy Director, Organisational Development
Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION IS IMPORTANT IN TODAY’S CLIMATE, AND BLUE MOON ARE MAKING A POSITIVE IMPACT ON THIS IN BUSINESS. WITH JOANNA ON BOARD— WITH HER EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE, AND PASSION FOR THIS SUBJECT—THAT MAKES BLUE MOON SPECIAL.

I’ve previously worked in the same organisation as Joanna. In 2019, I reached out to her for support for a diversity campaign. She went above and beyond to support on my campaign. She was one of four speakers on the panel at our Mind The Gap event for women in business. She gave advice on how to overcome your obstacles, and how her company, Blue Moon, strategize diversity for their clients. She’s a positive force and brings so much energy. Our clients who attended our event were inspired by Joanna’s keynote speech, and have really valued the input of all the female speakers on the evening. The fact Joanna supported me, as a fellow female in business, is beyond appreciated. If I’m presented with the opportunity to work with Blue Moon or Joanna again, I’d jump at the chance. An inspirational female who’s achieved so much—with a lot more to come I’m sure!  

Amanda Wiper
Mind The Gap campaign
SThree London