Joanne is an experienced, flexible and eclectic research principal. While her major career focus has revolved around communications in advertising, public relations, government and stakeholder relations, her thirty years of research practice have brought involvement with virtually all research methods and applications. She has continually given back to her profession through many years of Board involvement with the Alberta chapter of the Marketing Research and Intelligence Association of Canada, including three years as president. She and colleagues hosted the successful 2006 national conference of the MRIA in Calgary. Joanne holds the CMRP (Certified Marketing Research Professional) certification from the MRIA.

As part of the MPA Strategic Affairs team, Joanne takes the role of research lead while remaining fully involved and conversant with all aspects of the project. She has held senior positions with Leger Marketing (a national Canadian research firm), GPC International (government relations) and FWJ Communications (advertising and public relations), as well as operating Aspen Market Research Services for several years and more recently, O’Connell Enterprises.

As the business world and public expectations of business and government evolve, and new research approaches are developed, consultants need to stay current to be effective. Joanne accomplishes this by teaching evening courses in market research, most recently in the University of Calgary Management Certificate program, Faculty of Continuing Education. Her academic background of a BSc in mathematics, combined with a BA and MA in psychology, creates an excellent foundation for both quantitative and qualitative market research work.

Joanne has deep roots in Alberta as a second-generation native Calgarian. She knows Alberta well, a very useful attribute for conducting research into Alberta policy issues.