Testimonials

Joanna was an exceptional MC across Hamilton Island Race Week. Her deep knowledge of, and genuine connection to, the media and food worlds gave her wonderful credibility across our diverse program of events. She struck exactly the right tone throughout – personable, confident, polished and knowledgeable – and had an innate ability to engage both talent and audiences. Jo also brought a wealth of thoughtful and creative ideas to the role, adding value well beyond the brief. She was an absolute pleasure to work with, and we would welcome her back in a heartbeat. 

Courtney Barry, Director of Marketing, Hamilton Island

Joanna brings deep industry knowledge and an engaging perspective to luxury travel and hospitality brands. Her recent engagement with QT’s Brand & Marketing team across Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore was nothing short of captivating. Joanna guided the team with gravitas through the ever-evolving landscape of global food and luxury travel trends, bringing strategic insights, cultural nuance and forward-thinking editorial to the forefront. Her ability to distill complex shifts to feel clear and actionable left a lasting impression - and grinning smiles and laughter around the room. Her presence sparked fresh thinking, challenged assumptions, and elevated our brand conversations to a global standard. 

Chris Lee, Brand Manager, QT Hotels & Resorts

Having worked with Joanna during her time as editor of Gourmet Traveller, I saw firsthand her ability to bring people, places and brands together in a way felt effortless yet always elevated. She has a unique instinct for matching the right venue to the right occasion, creating events that not only embody the brand but also leave a lasting impression on every guest. Joanna’s warmth, creativity and precision in execution make her an exceptional host and collaborator.  

Michelle Mickan, VP Marketing, Abercrombie & Kent

I've had the pleasure of working with Joanna over the last six years in both an editorial capacity and delivering curated events. She has been foundational in helping me make brand aligned decisions and guiding me on how to amplify those moments. She is a constant sounding board for any large moments we have and I cannot recommend her professional services enough. She is also a hoot to have a glass of Champagne with, which is a bonus. 

Hannah Green, Restaurant Owner, Etta & Daphne

We have had the pleasure of working with Joanna in her capacity as editor of Gourmet Traveller across a range of projects within our luxury brand portfolio. Joanna is the consummate professional – knowledgeable and passionate about the worlds of food and travel. She is an engaging presenter and a natural connector, able to build meaningful relationships with both clients and consumers, and we recommend her without hesitation.

Sophie Curtis, Managing Director, BLACK Communications 

We recently engaged Joanna to MC a very special event for our PorkStar influencer program, celebrating its 20th year of sharing knowledge to ignite passion for pork across the food service community. Joanna was the perfect extension to our team, providing guidance to ensure our event maintained a level of elegance and elevation the anniversary deserved, as well as bringing her strong standing within the hospitality industry along with her poise, grace and candour in presenting. 

Lylle Balzer-Blackstock, Head of Communications, Australian Pork