Joan Spence
While in university Joan decided that she wanted to pursue a career in which she had an impact on the social well-being of citizens. She thought the best place to do this would be in a non-profit organization or in government.
Joan has worked in the provincial government in various ministries. Her first entry was the Ministry of Community and Social Services where she was pleased to be doing exactly what she studied by supporting the development social welfare policy. While working in this area Joan along with her boss won an Amethyst Award which recognizes individuals and groups in the Ontario Public Service (OPS) who have made outstanding contributions in client service, innovation, valuing people and professional achievement.
Later Joan worked in the Ministry Consumer and Business Service where she held policy responsibility for two new pieces of consumer protection legislation. She had the opportunity to see new legislation come into being - going from the policy development stage to become a Bill then to become an Act. After leaving this position Joan focus moved to financial policy at the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities where she held the challenge of overseeing the funds that are transferred to Ontario universities at a time when the government invested heavily in postsecondary education. Currently Joan leads a team that promotes youth entrepreneurship across Ontario. They support non-profit organizations like Youth-In-Motion in their effort to get youth engaged in entrepreneurship. There are particular benefits to working with programs – the impact is often very visible and tangible.
Her career with government was interrupted as various times as she struggled to decide what other places her interest may lie. Joan explored the field of international development by working with non-profit organizations and on United Nations projects in Kenya and Jamaica. These were exciting and challenges experiences but she was not prepared to live away from home for extended periods of time.
For her volunteer activity Joan currently serves as the Vice-President on the Board of Directors of the Working Women’s Community Centre. For over 30 years WWCC has provided immigrant women and their families with opportunities to improve the quality of their lives through self-development and community action.
Joan holds a Bachelor degree in Sociology from Carleton University in Ottawa, a Bachelor of Social Work from McGill University and a Master of Social Work specializing in Social Policy and Program Development from the University of Toronto.