Welcome

I’m Jo – executive and teams coach,
thought partner, & leadership strategist.

I work with senior leaders and executive teams to create the kinds of shifts that actually stick. I help my clients see themselves and their colleagues more clearly, developing the tools, language, and leadership habits to work more intentionally, communicate more effectively, and perform at a consistently higher level.

“If you’re here because you’re looking for more clarity, traction, or connection in your leadership or team, you’re in the right place.”

Experience Meets Purpose​

Joanne standing smiling in doorway - used for section Experience meets purpose
icon used as loose icon

Experience Meets Purpose​

I started my career as Corporate Affairs Director for a dual-listed mining company, leading investor relations, strategic HR and communication. After that, I founded the Walnut Office – a consultancy focused on leadership, communication and culture – which has since evolved into an organisational development practice.

These days, I spend most of my time working with ambitious leaders and teams navigating complexity, pressure and change. I use tools like the Enneagram to map personality dynamics, and coaching and leadership development programmes to build capabilities and help shift patterns that get in the way of impact. The work is always bespoke, always creative and always grounded in reality.

Jaques CEO Up & Up
Jo was amazing. She delivered way more value and impact than expected. Loved it. She was  brilliant. 10! 
Pat Sanderson
Can’t thank you enough for last week. Feedback from the entire group was incredibly positive and I  know there were some cynics in the room when we started.  You really set up the 2 days beautifully and as a result we got exactly what we wanted from the  offsite.
Monique Bernds B1 Large
What stood out for me was how Joanne instilled trust within the first minute of talking with me, how  she made it come to life and how she was able to very quickly understand what would be of most  value to me. Joanne and I looked at why I was specifically facing some challenges with someone and  she provided instant clarity on why we seem to be pushing each others’ buttons. 
Faheem Chaudhry
The feedback was unanimous – our time with Jo is the deepest and most meaningful work we  have done together as a team. It’s been quite incredible to see how the team dynamic has shifted  and become closer, more understanding and more honest with each other. On a personal level, I  connected quite profoundly with Jo’s observations, perceptions and recommendations. She both  accurately captured my high points and low points, and I left our session feeling clear and confident  about the journey and self-work that I have ahead.
Margaret Nienaber
Joanne has a unique ability to combine strategy, creativity and simplicity. She is exceptional at  stakeholder management, always well prepared, good at reading an audience and her positive  energy and high EQ brings people together. She has an ability to connect with people from all  backgrounds, and her sense of humour and deep sense of care puts her within our beloved Madiba’s  definition of true leadership.
Jennifer Hill
I honestly didn’t expect this to be as life changing as it has been. It feels like the different pieces of  who I am – what I do, why I do it, and how I show up in the world – have been gently held,  understood, and given a bit of extra care. Jo has this incredible way of polishing those parts up and  handing them back to you — a little sparkly, a lot more aligned, and somehow more you than ever. I  feel more grounded in myself, but also lighter – like I’m not carrying as much of the pressure to be  perfect, just the hope to keep growing in a good and meaningful direction. I only wish I’d done this  earlier. 
Vikash Gajar Large
Working with Jo will be the highlight of this year, and will indeed remain a highlight of my life. Jo  possesses a uniquely high level of emotional intelligence, and an abundance of wisdom, insight and  value. After each session with Jo, I leave a little mind blown – but also calmer and incredibly  motivated to win. 
Payman Hazheer Large
I found this to be the most valuable self-assessment I’ve done. The model itself was insightful, but  what really made a difference was the way Jo explained it and put my profile into context. It helped  me understand my strengths and weaknesses better and gave me more confidence in some of the  choices I’ve made. It also made me more aware of certain patterns and has given me a clearer idea  of how to use my natural attributes to my advantage. 
Dustin Chick
It was a truly remarkable experience, and we loved every moment. Having been through various  leadership development programmes throughout my career, I can honestly say this is the best  one I’ve ever had the privilege of participating in. I would recommend to anyone that they partner  with Joanne in this process.
Angela Katifori
Jo’s ability to create connections with people that are founded on trust and deep meaningful  conversations is incredible. She is kind, caring, but is also able to use her knowledge to challenge  you to view things from different perspectives and gain deeper insights into yourself. I would  absolutely recommend working with her.
David Bergstedt
I have I tried and used many different personality tests, and I think the result Jo has given me with  the Enneagram model has given me the most accurate and understandable insights of myself and  the people around me. And Joanne is a fantastic coach and guide in explaining the model and how  to work with the results. Five-star experience.
Andreas Pilakoutas
Jo met each of us where we were, with unparalleled empathy and insight. What really set her apart  was her generosity – she always gave more than expected. Above all, Jo has a rare ability to make  things click. That ‘wow, everything makes so much more sense now!’ moment of clarity she creates is  something truly special. We couldn’t recommend her more. 
Mike Abel
Across the board, we have seen hugely positive results and the feedback has been truly  outstanding. Beyond that, Jo has helped certain individuals enormously in their personal growth  journeys outside of “strict” agency life. She has helped them get onto a constructive path of positive  growth, where their challenges may have been beyond the realm of the formal workplace or their  careers.  
Gasper Sekula
The entire experience was exceptional. Every step was handled with professionalism and care. The  team’s attitude, the engaging group presentation, and the live workshops were all outstanding. This  is just the beginning for me —now I have a clear understanding of my strengths and areas for  growth. Thank you for the invaluable knowledge and a truly great experience.
dots with 20% opacity used as a graphic element to stylise this section

Academic Background

A blend of academic grounding, executive education, and professional coaching certifications shapes the way I work : practical, evidence-based, and always people-centered.

Shape used as styling image

Certifications

  • Enneagram Practitioner
  • Teams Practitioner
  • Executive Coach

Executive Education

  • Families in Business – Harvard Business School
  • Global Branding & Marketing – Gordon Institute of Business Science
  • Strategic Human Resources Management – Gordon Institute of Business Science

Academic Education

  • Post Graduate Diploma in Business Administration – Wits Business School
  • BA (Hons) Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology – University of the Witwatersrand

Real Conversations About Leading with Clarity & Connection.