Joan joined The Elliot Group in 1992 and has been working in executive recruitment and senior-level assignments since 1986. Prior to joining The Elliot Group, Joan had six years of human resource management experience for a major corporation and six years of executive search experience in the hospitality sector. As Executive Vice President, her work spans the C-suite and includes placements in restaurants, beauty, retail, and lodging, and she has placed over 100 Chief Financial Officers in her career.

For several years, Joan taught Dining Room Management at the Art Institute of Atlanta as an adjunct instructor. She was a Board Member of the Women’s Foodservice Forum for nine years and served as Chair of the Executive Development and the Membership Committees, as well as Vice Chair of the Endowment Committee. She has been the recipient of the Women’s Foodservice Forum President’s Award. Joan is often featured as a panelist and speaker within the consumer and foodservice world. She is a frequent contributor to Restaurant Finance Monitor articles regarding human capital and was recently featured on the Revenue Management Solutions webcast panel “Art + Data Science = Superior Customer Experience” moderated by Forbes’ contributor Alicia Kelso. Joan has a keen eye for trends and best-in-class leadership practices. Joan is renowned for her business acumen, insight, guidance, and thoughtful approach.  

Joan is an alumnus of the University of Wisconsin in Madison and completed graduate coursework in human resources services at Marquette University. Joan resides in Jacksonville, Fla. with her two dogs Chloe and Smokey Elliot.