Born and raised in East Belfast, educated at Braniel Primary and Grosvenor High Schools, Joanne has vast experience of Stormont as an employee of the Assembly for 18 years where she is regarded as diligent and insightful.

She served the residents of Castlereagh as a Councillor for 11 years and as Mayor in 2004/5.

On Council Joanne quickly developed a reputation for fairness whilst adhering to her core values. These qualities saw her selected by Councillors from across NI to negotiate with local and direct-rule Ministers, leading the panel which carried responsibility for the most dramatic change to local government since the 1970s.