I left a twenty-year career as a marketing executive in 2005 looking to heal herself and find meaning and purpose in her life. I founded YourBeliefsMatter, for self-realization and accelerated personal transformation and healing.
I became a PSYCH-K® Instructor from 2007-2021 and taught 160 workshops and conducted hundreds of personal sessions. Today, I'm retired and devote my time to Akram Vignan stepless-path to Self-Realization. Here is a link to an introductory video if it calls out to you. https://www.dadabhagwan.org/
Corporate Experience
I was the Executive Director for U.S. Consumer and Wholesale Channel for Hewlett-Packard managing a $14 billion dollar channel business, a $350 million dollar budget, and a large organization which managed pricing and promotional policies, contracts with large retailers and wholesalers. My team led the industry in consumer research, innovative channel policies including establishing the on-line business for major retailers in the United States.
My twenty years of experience encompassed marketing, business and sales development, product management, operations, strategic planning and pivotal leadership roles in diversity, merger integration, and new business, channel, and market creation. I spearheaded the very first Apple compatible inkjet printer in the 1980s as well as the innovative use of color packaging which changed the industry standard in printing and computing in the early 90s.
International: I moved to Germany just months after the Berlin Wall fell in January 1990 as a product manager for Hewlett-Packard’s inkjet printer division in Europe.
I loved experiencing different cultures and was fortunate to travel extensively in Europe and into the Soviet Union in 1991 as a speaker for the 2nd Annual Computer Show.
At the time, I loved cycling
Learning the Art of "Being" rather than "Doing"
My #1 Priority is Self-Realization; my own and supporting others
I have found a living Self-Realized teacher and Akram Vignan - a step-less path to Self-Realization
If you're interested in learning more: https://www.dadabhagwan.org
Social Venture Partners
Portland, Oregon
In 2020, I could no longer sit on the sidelines regarding racism and became a Partner at Social Venture Partners (SVP). It’s a unique form of philanthropy whereby partners bring experience as well as resources to nonprofits creating an improvement in equity among all people.
You can read her SVP Blog Being the Change for Equity
Call to Safety Crisis Line Advocate
Portland, Oregon
I became a trained Advocate with Call to Safety Crisis Line for a few years as I had experienced a sexual assault at a young age. Call to Safety is an organization of self- empowerment and providing support and information. What a gift they are!
Volunteering at Clinic for Hiv/Aids in Guatemala City
These professionals and the people I was blessed to work with, taught me that there are no victims and that each person is a pure Soul. Thank you!
Passionate Scuba Diver and Oregon Aquarium Volunteer
Joan grew up splashing in the chilly waters of the Oregon Coast fascinated with sea creatures. In 1987 she became a certified scuba diver and has logged over 400 dives.
In 2017, she became a dive volunteer at the Oregon Aquarium to clean and care for the home of these amazing creatures. Her favorites include the blind sturgeon who will gently suck on her head testing to see if she might be food, the seven-gill sharks who are curious, and the wolf eels, who will wrap around her waist which feels like a gentle hug.
Joan continues down her bucket list of dive locations which have included the Maldives, Australia’s Ningaloo and Great Barrier Reefs, Thailand, Costa Rica, the Cocos Island, Revillagigedo Islands, Mexico, New Zealand, the Bahamas, Turks and Caicos, Antigua, Bonair, and Hawaiian Islands.
She has a fascination and soft spot for sharks and hopes to see the Great White Shark.
In the next few years, Joan plans to learn how to Free Dive so that she can be in the most natural state and connect with whales, dolphins, and sharks.
Maori Community and Prison System
While teaching workshops in New Zealand, I developed a friendship with Gavin, a Maori Minister in Wanganui. I had the honor of leading them through some processes of self-discovery. Gavin and his community taught me the value of each person no matter what their circumstance. Gavin serves his clients in the prison system with love and compassion.
Nicaragua Girl’s Orphanage
These beautiful souls have taught me grace, joy, innocence, and how to smile and have fun.
Loves the People & Nature of Nicaragua
I have home in Nicaragua as the people inspired me to discover what is truly important. Yup, it's not the material stuff.
A Bit More About Joan
Joan currently lives in La Paz Baja California, Mexico with her two cats Rosie and Snowbee.
She is an avid scuba diver and especially loves swimming with tiger and bull sharks.
Her latest passion is free diving and has gone 114 feet (34.4 meters).
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