Joy Persall, Board Chair

Joy Persall is a leadership coach, facilitator, and transition organizational consultant. Joy has a depth and breadth of experience leading organizations locally and nationally, guiding transitions and developing leadership skills. As a woman of Ojibwe Metis’ descent, mother, grandmother, gardener, seed keeper, Joy is committed to a life supported by community and family, working for equity and justice, and caring for our Mother Earth. Primarily, Joy is a gardener of people, teams, and organizations, developing their ability to grow, learn and create new solutions in a grounded atmosphere of human dignity and deep respect. 

Following a 20 year career in philanthropy, Joy received a Bush Foundation Leadership Fellowship in 2011 completing an M.A. in Organization Development and Management and CEBC Coaching Certification, mentored by Indigenous women leaders. Joy prioritizes work with Native American leadership, engages multicultural, multi-generational leaders in coaching and facilitation of transformational leadership experiences in non-profit, philanthropic, and community organizations. Joy previously served in executive leadership roles at Dream of Wild Health, Headwaters Foundation for Justice, and Native Americans in Philanthropy and continues to advocate and organize for greater equity and inclusion at community and national scales. Persall provides strategic leadership and organization development to nonprofits and community leaders focusing on community engagement, healthy systems, and advancement of equity and positive change. Joy is a World Institute for Action Learning Senior Coach, is certified in The Leadership Circle and Organizational Culture Profile, and the Intercultural Development Inventory.