The Souaid family lived on Townshend St. and Joanne's earliest school days started at St. Lambert Elementary School where she attended Kindergarten. For grades one through four, she attended Victoria Park School where she began to weave her very first friendships; some of which she still has today including friendships with Monica von Thaden and Keith Mahar.

Her fondest memories from grade school center around her grade three teacher, Mrs. Garrett. On very special occasions, Joanne recalls Mrs. Garrett bringing in her french horn and playing it for the class. She impressed Joanne so much so that she invited Mrs. Garrett to her high school graduation ceremony in 1980.

Throughout Joanne's early grade school years she developed a keen interest in theatrical performance. In grade four, she played the role of the narrator in a school production of “The Boy who Cried Wolf ”. In Mr. Grant's grade five class, she took on the role of Injun Joe in the musical production of “Tom Sawyer” which also starred Ward Whitehead and Emily Carson, to name a few. One of the things that Joanne coveted as a child was her grade four report card in which Mrs. Brisson wrote some very encouraging words of support and praise regarding Joanne's acting skills which may have been what planted the seed and put the theatre “bug” in Joanne's veins for good.

Joanne attended Chambly County High School from 1975 to 1980, and believes that during all those years 'did not really have a favorite teacher'. “I just wanted to do as well as I could in all my classes.” Joanne was added to the Honour Roll in Grade 11 and also won the Steinberg Bursary at the graduation ceremony, which she says came as a "complete surprise".

Asked if she ever got into any trouble with the teachers, she recalls. “I was the student who 'toed the line' as they say. I didn't drink, I didn't smoke, and I didn't do drugs. I was the kid who never had dates in high school either. I stayed on the side lines for the most part, keeping all of my secret crushes on boys to myself. The only time I came out of my shell was through my acting in all of the school plays and hosting the Variety Show. But the rest of my social life consisted of a steady diet of TV watching including “The Carol Burnett Show,” “Starsky and Hutch,” and “The Love Boat” with an occasional invite to a house party here and there.

Joanne was the secretary of the Student Council, and remembers having to get the 'minutes all typed up, using carbon paper, and photo copied. That was the way it was done back then! I can still smell the fresh ink.'

She attended Marianopolis College for the next two years studying psychology, mathematics and economics. She appeared on the Dean's list twice during her 2-year term there (this is for students who had a high grade-point average during a semester).

Following Marionapolis Joanne attended McGill University from 1982-1985 where she earned her Bachelor of Commerce Degree, with a double concentration in Computer Programming and Marketing. She also received a Management Faculty award which was for her involvement in school activities including being on the Winter Carnival Committee, selling advertising space in the university faculty directory, and for her involvement with the variety show. Outside of University studies, she belonged to the McGill Choral Society, singing Alto, and was the stage manager for the McGill Players' production of “Godspell.”

Following graduation, Joanne remembers her first job was with IBM, Montreal. "I was a Telemarketer. I sold/pushed/cajoled customers into buying the good ol' fancy-shmancy typewriter! It was a six-month contract."

From there she moved into the textile industry working for Textiles Mont-Royal in Montreal, where she started as manager of the retail division before becoming Chief Controller of the wholesale division. She remained with that organization until 1990, when she made the major jump into Television.

In October 1990 Joanne moved to Toronto and joined TVOntario, where she remained for 17 years. She held a variety of positions with the public broadcaster, starting out as a bilingual secretary. She advanced quickly to graphics layout, and then made a big jump to Product Manager. She also held temporary posts in other areas including the CEO's office. Her many years of experience at the station resulted in her appointment to Chief Stewardship Officer and On-air Spokesperson for TVOntario's Fundraising Department where she led a successful 30-day campaign and raised one million dollars. With her promotion to Senior Development Officer came a portfolio that included all direct mail, telemarketing, on-air hosting, and major gift fundraising activities.
Joanne says “TVOntario was an education in itself. I met some of the kindest and most talented people I have ever met in my life. The experiences I had there are irreplaceable and ones that I will never forget. I have so many memories of the place, but they mostly revolve around the people who I worked with and who, eventually became long-lasting friends.

I recall my times hosting with Elwy Yost. He was a sweet man and was the host of the ever-popular “Saturday Night at the Movies.” We talked about movies all the time and he spoke fondly of his son, Graham Yost, who made a name for himself with the release of the movie “Speed.”
I also recall being on-air host on a night when a half a million people tuned in to our modest on-air pledge drive. I believe we had scheduled an Alfred Hitchcock double-bill that night. I was also lucky enough to have the chance to meet and work with some rather well-known Canadian celebrities including Pamela Wallin, Lloyd Robinson, Peter Kent, and Knowlton Nash. I have continued friendships with others including Adam Growe (host of Cash Cab), Kevin Brauch (host of The Thirsty Traveller), and Mary Ito (host of CBC radio's “Fresh Air”) to name a few.

After leaving TVOntario, Joanne worked in the Health sector for 2-years (2007-2009) as a fundraising manager for the Alzheimer Society of Toronto, and from there moved to Ottawa to manage the Kidney Foundation, Eastern Ontario Chapter.

In May 2009 Joanne joined the University of Ottawa as Manager of Research where she works with a staff of five. She says “I'm happy to say that I'm still learning new things every day. To me, that's the key in life: to stay curious and always strive to learn more about yourself and what's around you.”

The Souaids often have family gatherings and in keeping with Joanne's comments about her 'siblings' in the Memory Lane section, here she is with both Steven (C-'78) and Carolyn (C-'76)
Steven is an Alumni Association Board Member and Carolyn also is a WHO'S WHO Member.