Joanne Marcano

Background

About Joanne Marcano

Hi! It's Joanne, here. As an Intake Service Coordinator and Chair of the Anti-Racism: Black Cultural Awareness Training and Consulting Group, I’m passionate about creating spaces where people feel valued and heard. My work spans social services, client advocacy, and equity initiatives, all of which are rooted in my commitment to community, self-awareness, and cultural intelligence. Over the years, I’ve been described as “person-centered,” with an incredible ability to ensure families and individuals have a voice in the services they receive. Past and current managers often highlight my ability to respond quickly while always ensuring that communication is culturally relevant and respectful. Whether it's collaborating with teams to drive impactful events like Black History Month or supporting my colleagues during discussions on anti-Black racism, I make it a priority to foster open, honest, and respectful communication. I’ve been fortunate to lead initiatives that bring awareness to systemic racism and foster a culture of accountability. As Chair of our Anti-Racism Group, I’ve led many discussions that were catalysts to significant organizational changes, like mandatory anti-Black racism training and a deeper focus on culturally relevant programming. I’ve also partnered with the Communications and Education teams to highlight key moments in Black Canadian culture, such as Black History Month and Black Mental Health Week, ensuring these important conversations remain at the forefront of our work. What's driven me on my journey is the belief that change happens one intentional step at a time. Whether it's addressing unconscious bias or ensuring that services meet the highest standards of equity and inclusion, I'm always committed to making a difference, because- what else? Some of my professional development training consists of- Confronting Implicit Bias: Best Practices for Mental Health Professionals - San’yas Indigenous Cultural Safety Training - Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training - Indigenous Awareness Training - Aging Matters: Indigenous Perspectives - Developmental Services Consolidated Information System Training (DSCIS)- Working While Black- The Phenomenon of Walking Through the Doors - Connecting the Dots: Racism, Health, and Your Patient’s Care - From Bias to Belonging: Navigating Personal and Professional Experiences of Bias and - Black Minds Matter Conference: Racism, Intersectionality, Spirituality, and Equity in Underserved Populations - nêhiyaw Trauma Informed Practice and Care