Meet Joanna Meyer | Founder and Executive Director – Women, Work, & Calling

We had the good fortune of connecting with Joanna Meyer and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Joanna, how has your background shaped the person you are today?
I’m a long-term Coloradan and have lived in the Denver metro area for almost 35 years. Early in my career, I traveled the world working for a global nonprofit, but when my nieces were born I knew I wanted to invest in their lives, so I came home. My father was raised on a ranch outside Ft. Morgan and I feel a deep connection to Colorado history and areas of the state beyond the Front Range.

I was raised in a Christian home and faith plays a central role in my life today. However, the diverse worldviews I experienced as a student at the University of Colorado (Go Buffs!) challenged me to examine the beliefs I was raised with, leading to a mature, informed faith that sustains me in adulthood.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I founded a growing national and international initiative through the Denver Institute for Faith and Work called Women, Work, & Calling. I’m passionate about helping women of faith identify their sphere of influence, develop their leadership, and spark their imagination for positive influence in public life. I’ve seen thousands of women gain a greater vision for their work and the confidence to serve others through their leadership. It’s been amazing to see our programming grow from a single, local event to a global network of women.

I also have a book coming out in October by the same name – Women, Work, & Calling: Step into Your Place in God’s World.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I live in Aurora, which is a hotbed of fantastic international food. Before we hit more common tourist sites, my friend and I would dine. Breakfast at House of Bread, an Armenian bakery, or Istanbul Cafe and Bakery – both on Leetsdale/Parker Road. Lunch would be Katsu Ramen on Havana for the black garlic ramen), Tacos El Metate on Chambers for posole and authentic street tacos, or Las Tortugas on Parker Road for chile-sauced tortas. I love watching the cooks work the griddle as they make an endless supply of sandwiches. Dinner would be Korean BBQ at Seoul K BBQ and Hot Pot on Havana. I told you the food was great!

I love wandering around the Confluence Park area, so we’d spend a day visiting REI, watching the river run by, and enjoying tea at Babe’s Tea Room on 15th Street.

For a day in the mountains, we would hike up McCullough Gulch outside of Breckenridge or if they weren’t so athletic, we’d spend the day exploring Vail. I love their farmers’ market and the Betty Ford Gardens.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My shoutout is dedicated to the Phoebes or “Pheebs” a community of senior nonprofit leaders. We’re a group of seven like-minded women who are passionate about developing others and releasing their purpose in the world. The Pheebs have been my greatest cheerleaders and the sounding-board I need to make wise decisions regarding my own leadership and strategic decision-making.

Website: womenworkandcalling.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joannameyerco/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannameyer/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/joannameyer1

Image Credits
Rachel Shamburg, Kara Pearson Photography, Ignite Images