Joana was born in Mexico but spent her formative years in East Palo Alto before her family relocated to the East Bay, where she completed her high school education. In her prior professional experiences, she actively supported high school students facing learning disabilities, physical challenges, social anxieties, and emotional abuse—a role she found incredibly fulfilling.

In 2020, Joana marked a significant milestone as a first-generation college graduate, earning her degree in Psychology, Sociology, and Social Behavior Sciences from Cañada College. Continuing her educational journey, she once again made history in 2023 as the first in her family to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in Ethnic and Chicana studies from Cal State East Bay.

Joana takes immense pride in being part of a team dedicated to promoting social equality and justice. Her unwavering commitment to making a positive impact stems from a profound passion for championing the underprivileged.