Joanne Richardson is a seasoned executive with more than 25 years of leadership in smart building technologies, mechanical systems, building automation, and enterprise sales. Her extensive industry experience includes leadership roles with York International, Daikin McQuay, Honeywell, Carrier (UTC), and Schneider Electric, providing a unique perspective across mechanical systems, building automation, electrical infrastructure, and connected IoT technologies.
Joanne's journey up the corporate ladder was not without its challenges. She was dismissed and underestimated throughout my life and career, which only fueled her fire to succeed. But behind the accolades and executive titles, she wrestled with deep-rooted trauma — complex PTSD formed through childhood abuse, domestic violence, learning challenges, and invisible disabilities. Everything changed at 49, when she accepted Christ. Redemption changed her trajectory forever as she embraced God's unconditional love. It has informed her healing journey, especially when she discovered at 60 that she had been dealing with mental illness for many years.
Today, she provides helpful resources by telling her story and offering her expertise to others.
Through deeply personal storytelling and hard-earned professional insight, Joanne Richardson writes about the experiences people are often afraid to discuss openly. Her books explore trauma, identity, family estrangement, faith, women in leadership, and the hidden emotional cost of achievement.
Whether she is sharing her own journey or helping readers understand the unwritten rules shaping their lives, Joanne writes with honesty, courage, and a belief that healing begins when we are willing to confront the truth.
Joanne Richardson brings honesty, experience, and practical insight to conversations about trauma, resilience, mental health, leadership, workplace culture, faith, and personal transformation. Drawing from more than 25 years of executive leadership and her own journey through adversity, Joanne helps audiences confront difficult truths, challenge limiting beliefs, and move toward healthier, more purposeful lives.
Her presentations can be tailored for corporate organizations, leadership teams, educators, women’s conferences, nonprofits, healthcare audiences, and faith-based events.
Through Gailwinds Group LLC, Joanne Richardson provides executive consulting for organizations navigating smart-building technology, mechanical systems, building automation, IoT integration, sales strategy, and organizational growth.
With more than 25 years of industry leadership, she helps owners, engineers, manufacturers, technology providers, and executive teams simplify complex decisions and turn technical opportunities into practical business results.
Drawing from personal experience, mental health advocacy, and decades of executive leadership, Joanne Richardson helps organizations better understand the hidden ways trauma can affect employees, leaders, and workplace culture. Her presentations equip audiences to recognize potential signs of unresolved trauma without diagnosing or labeling individuals, respond with greater awareness, and create environments built on psychological safety, healthy boundaries, accountability, and trust. Joanne’s message helps leaders move beyond asking, “What is wrong with this person?” and begin considering the more productive question: “What might this person be carrying, and how can we lead more effectively?”
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Discover the media featuring my story, including a documentary and an article in Newsweek magazine.
