Joan is a highly sought Executive Search Leader with over 30 years of experience identifying and placing outstanding leaders in the consumer and hospitality industries. Partnering with clients at various stages in the business lifecycle, from private equity-backed growth brands to public legacy brands in the restaurant, hospitality, beauty, retail, lifestyle, pet, and lodging sectors, Joan is adept at placing talent across all levels and functional disciplines.
Joan has been highly successful at the C-suite and Board level, having placed over 60 Chief Executive Officers and over 100 Chief Financial Officers throughout her career at The Elliot Group, which began in 1992. Joan has forged deep relationships throughout her tenure and is a trusted partner and advisor to many private equity groups from the pre-acquisition stage to realization, instrumental in building holistic Executive Teams. Joan leverages her practical human resources management experience to successfully source Executives who enable her clients to optimize their business opportunities.
Known for her business acumen and insights, Joan has cultivated a keen eye for best-in-class leadership practices and has been a featured panelist and speaker in the consumer and foodservice arenas. She frequently contributes to Restaurant Finance Monitor articles regarding human capital and was recently featured on a Revenue Management Solutions webcast panel moderated by Forbes.
Joan served on the Board of the Women’s Foodservice Forum for nine years, during which time she was Chair of the Executive Development Committee and the Membership Committee and Vice Chair of the Endowment Committee. She has also received the Women’s Foodservice Forum President’s Award. Passionate about furthering education and careers in the restaurant and hospitality industry, Joan previously served as an adjunct instructor in the culinary program at the Art Institute of Atlanta.
An alumnus of the University of Wisconsin in Madison, Joan also completed graduate coursework in human resources services at Marquette University. Joan resides in Jacksonville, Florida, with her two dogs, Chloe and Smokey Elliot.