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Where Emotional Intelligence
meets
Event Impact
Designing and managing events that inspire belonging, spark creativity, and support wellbeing.
Hey! So happy you're here
Let's get to know each other...I'll go first.
I’m Joanna — also known as Jo or Jo Lean
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Founder and Creative Director of Joanna Lean Events with 15+ years of experience producing conferences, fundraising events, employee recognition programs, summits, trade shows, golf tournaments, incentive trips and activations — known for blending creativity, calm, and collaboration every step of the way. I believe in treating vendors as trusted partners and building events that foster connection and impact.
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Wellness Curator passionate about designing bespoke activations and team building that spark presence, delight, and wonder — from conference breaks, team building experiences, trade shows to brand activations. Every experience is rooted in the 7 pillars of rest and guided by a human-first approach.
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Mentor for Event Professionals offering 1:1 and group support for planners navigating burnout, career pivots, and personal growth — using a mix of positive psychology, nervous system and embodiment support, soul-purpose modalities such as Numerology, and my signature release to rise program.
I’m equally at home managing logistics and connecting the deeper why behind an event — aligning business goals with human emotion through storytelling, strategy, and experience.
My superpowers? Emotional intelligence, curiosity, compassion, and the ability to hold both the big picture and the fine print.
You’ll usually find me dancing before an event — it’s my go-to ritual to get grounded, energized, and hype up the team.
And outside of work, I’m an obsessed dog mom to Clo, my sweet and spicy wiener dog who keeps life fun, playful, and full of neighbourhood watch duties and side-eye.
Services offered
Hats
The Sun-Smart Collection
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Shoes
Comfort X Design
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Bags
Transport In Style
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Event Management, Fractional Event Operation,
Freelance Event Partner
Creating
Events That Move People
Whether you need full support for an upcoming event or a reliable partner to jump in during a busy season, I offer event management and fractional operations that balance precision with purpose. With 15+ years of experience across conferences, summits, trade shows, incentive trips, golf tournaments and brand activations, I bring calm confidence to every detail — from timelines and budgets to teams and vendors.
I believe that the most impactful events don’t just run smoothly — they make people feel something. And those feelings? They drive behaviour, connection, change and real results for your brand.
My approach is rooted in collaboration, creativity, emotional intelligence, and an eye for both the big picture and the small details that matter. I integrate seamlessly with internal corporate teams or agencies, providing the structure, leadership, and creative problem-solving needed to deliver exceptional event experiences — without the burnout.
Let’s design events that don’t just check boxes — they cultivate belonging, elevate your message, and spark action.
Wellness Activations,
Creative Team Building,and Workshops
Add awe, wonder and energy to your next event
Bespoke creative wellness activations and team building experiences invite attendees to pause, reconnect, and feel truly present.
Each experience is thoughtfully designed to spark creativity, restoration, and delight — engaging the senses and enhancing the mind, body, and soul.
This goes far beyond a yoga class — these moments are thoughtfully crafted to spark curiosity, energize your audience, and leave them feeling seen, uplifted, and more connected to your brand’s purpose.
Whether integrated into a brand experience, corporate retreat or, team offsite, conference, sponsored lounge, golf tournament, or trade show booth, these activations offer a refreshing and meaningful way to connect with your audience.
Meaningful experiences that care for the mind, body, and heart aren’t just a nice-to-have — they’re what people remember. And no one wants boring.
Event Professional Mentorship and Programs
Support Beyond
Event Day!
Event planning is rewarding — but let’s be honest, it can also be exhausting. When you’re the one keeping everything together, it’s easy to forget about your own wellbeing.
This mentorship is designed to help you harmonize the way you work, reset your nervous system, and find clarity in your career and personal life. Whether you’re feeling burnt out, disconnected from your purpose, or just craving a different way of showing up — this space is for you.
Using tools from positive psychology, nervous system support, and soul-led modalities like Numerology, we move through perfectionism, people-pleasing, and overwhelm into resilience, confidence, and grounded momentum. You'll explore the 7 pillars of rest, reconnect with what matters, and begin to lead from a place of energy and intention — not depletion.
Because you're not just building events — you're building a life that deserves to feel good, too.
Emily Scarlett,
Knix
Joanna is an absolute pleasure to work with. She comes to the table with creative ideas and can easily pivot when needed. She is nimble and a great team player always eager to pitch in and be solution oriented. A proven strategic thinker, Joanna can keep to timelines, budgets and goals and all with a smile and positive attitude!
Kerry-Leigh Smith,
Buska Conferences + Associations
I have had the pleasure of working with Joanna from 2023 on a variety of projects, and her impact was immediately evident. Her strong project management skills, paired with her unwavering dedication, made every collaboration smooth and successful. Joanna consistently brings a solutions-focused mindset and is always the first to offer strategic input when challenges arise. Her proactive approach, professionalism, and team spirit make her an invaluable asset to any project or team.
Yan Markson,
Keynote Speaker + Mentalist
I first met Joanna when she hired me to speak at an entrepreneurship conference she was producing in 2022. Since then, we’ve worked on a large corporate event, and most recently, she consulted me on a few event-focused projects and offered strategic advice to support my growth as an emerging speaker in the industry.
From day one, Joanna stood out as someone who’s incredibly easy to work with—direct, knowledgeable, highly reliable, and grounded in deep experience across the events and production space. Her professionalism, clarity, and creative energy elevate every conversation, making strategy sessions both productive and inspiring.
Whether you’re producing a large-scale event, adding wellness activations, or seeking expert guidance as a speaker or events professional—Joanna is the kind of person you want on your team. I’m grateful for our ongoing collaboration and excited to continue working with her.
Testimonials
Who I work with
I partner with organizations, agencies, and teams who care about doing things well — and with heart.
Whether you’re planning a major conference, team building activity, launching a new initiative, or producing a high-stakes event, I work best with people who value collaboration, emotional intelligence, and thoughtful execution.
Corporate brands needing end-to-end event management or fractional operations leadership
Event planning teams looking for senior-level support during high-volume seasons
Event agencies seeking a collaborative freelance partner
National associations and nonprofits producing annual conferences, summits, galas or fundraising events
Teams looking to elevate brand activations, team building, retreats, or employee and client experiences
No matter where I step in — early concept, planning crunch time, or day-of — I aim to be a calm, creative force that helps your vision come to life with ease and purpose.