Bastille Day is another favorite day of Joanne’s; last year WCI partnered with the Portland French Alliance to present a special celebration complete with seafood vol au vent and lavender-infused pot au crème for dessert.

Some people have it really tough. There’s no doubt, however, that Joanne has earned her place marketing one of only 13 certified Cordon Bleu schools in the country. Before joining WCI two years ago, she provided regional marketing direction to McDonald’s franchisees in the Pacific Northwest and worked with the Western Division of McDonald’s public relations team.

A native Oregonian, Joanne earned a B.A. degree in Political Science from the University of Oregon and then spent seven years in the Big Apple gaining a solid grounding in advertising with then-giant Dentsu America Inc., followed by a more intimate, creative experience with a New York City shop called Anderson & Lembke.

Joanne joined the AMA Oregon Chapter last summer with an interest in gaining more insight into new media trends in order to reach her target market: 18- to 24-year-olds seeking a career in the culinary arts. She supervises a staff of eight in WCI’s marketing and administration departments and loves marketing a world-class brand like Cordon Bleu. Bienvenue, Joanne!

Article written by Alissa Barron Stranzl