Jo-Ann lives with the daily challenges of scleroderma. Diagnosed in 2009, the disease affects her skin, lungs and GI system. She has served on the board of Scleroderma Manitoba since 2018, as the President since 2020, and now as past president since 2024. Her work includes supporting the board with governance, communication and fund-raising.

She has a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Alberta and a Master’s of Nursing from the University of Manitoba. She worked in many settings in the healthcare system, with the majority of her career spent in leadership and administration roles. She has participated in a number of research projects and published articles in peer reviewed journals.