After ranking first in her class at Diocesan Junior School, Joanna attended ACG Parnell College where she achieved Senior Scholar status at the end of sixth form and was able to gain early entrance to university. She currently studies Psychology, Sociology, Finance and Accounting at the University of Auckland.

Throughout school she competed extensively in dressage and equestrian sports, achieving dozens of pony club and area championships. Her and her horses have supported the Riding for the Disabled through assisting them in creating safe environments to facilitate the activities of vulnerable children. By year nine she was running inter-club events and has now judged at 8 branches.

Based in the Leadership and Extracurricular Department, Joanna develops programmes to guide promising students towards running successful events and negotiating the steps towards starting up charities and companies. This includes curating resources to help international consultants understand the local landscape and opportunities available to students, and offering one-on-one guidance and clarification where needed.