Meet Your Coach
👋🏼 Hi, I’m Joanna — coach, clinician, and educator, passionate about helping people move forward in life.
My path to becoming an executive function coach specializing in ADHD began in college . . . when I was struggling.
How It Started
As an ADHD’er myself, I know firsthand how overwhelming life can feel when your brain doesn’t seem to work the way everyone else’s does. While my friends appeared to navigate school, work, and responsibilities with ease, I often felt like I was missing some invisible instruction manual. Much of my young adulthood was spent “figuring it out,” which is a nice way of saying I learned a lot of lessons the hard way.
My ADHD Journey
Eventually, learning about my own ADHD was a turning point. It helped me understand my thought processes, recognize my strengths, and begin creating systems that actually worked for me. Instead of forcing myself to operate in ways that didn’t align with how my brain functions, I started designing my life to better support the way I think, focus, and follow through.
Why I Started Coaching
That shift didn’t happen overnight, and it definitely didn’t happen alone. Looking back, I wish I’d had someone in my corner who truly understood neurodivergence and could help me build the skills I needed to succeed. That’s exactly why I started Mindwise Success Coaching: to be that support for others, especially during times of transition when executive function challenges can feel especially intense.
What I Bring to the Work
While I can’t magically fix your problems, I can help you learn how to approach them differently. Together, we’ll identify your strengths, build practical strategies, and work toward goals that matter to you, whether in school, work, or life.
Credentials and Training
Coaching is a highly personalized profession, and, at least for now, an unregulated one. While some organizations have made efforts to create their own standards and training pathways, there’s no official oversight or licensing body.
In other words, anyone can call themselves a coach, regardless of their background or experience. ADHD-specific certifications may sound impressive, but most aren’t connected to accredited institutions, and none are governed by a state licensure board.
I take a different approach. My work is grounded in both lived experience and formal training — blending clinical insight, academic study, and evidence-based methods.
Educational Background
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Provided foundational knowledge in human development, family systems, and the social factors that influence behavior and well-being, all of which directly inform my work with clients navigating personal and professional transitions.
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This is where I received formal clinical training, including motivational interviewing. My thesis focused on the relationship between ADHD and nutrition, which deepened my understanding of how biological, psychological, and behavioral factors intersect. As a Board-Certified, Licensed Dietitian-Nutritionist, I bring a mind-body lens to behavior change and supportive interventions that align with real-world needs.
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Earned through the Professional Association of Résumé Writers & Career Coaches (PARWCC), this certification is built on the Whole Person Theory and includes comprehensive training through a 600-page manual, 15 hours of video instruction, live coaching sessions, and a rigorous assessment process. It equips professionals with strategies to guide clients through successful career transitions.
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This intensive, graduate-level certificate is offered by Landmark College — the premier institution in the country dedicated to educating students who learn differently. It's the only accredited program of its kind, specifically designed for professionals who support neurodivergent individuals.
Through specialized coursework in executive functioning, academic coaching, and disability accommodations, I’ve gained advanced training in how to effectively support students and adults with ADHD, autism, and learning disabilities in real-world settings.
In total, I’ve completed 400+ hours of intensive training in executive functioning and ADHD-related challenges. I’ve also spent over a decade working in mental health and higher education, holding both clinical and leadership roles, and supporting individuals across early adulthood, midlife, and beyond.
Fun Stuff
When I’m not working, I’m usually diving into something that fuels my curiosity or creativity, whether it’s gardening, hiking a local trail, or working on a DIY project at home.
I’ve always loved exploring and have visited 13 national parks so far (with many more on my list). As a certified scuba diver, I’ve also had the chance to experience some incredible underwater ecosystems. One of the most memorable? Swimming alongside reef sharks in Costa Rica.
A very natural, un-staged photo at Mt. Rainier National Park
That said, I also deeply value the quieter side of life. I recently came across the term “introverted extrovert” and felt like it described me perfectly. Because my work is highly interactive, I find balance in the simple things like cozy evenings, meaningful conversation with a few close friends, and a house full of good food and laughter.
Life is wonderfully full with my husband, our two children, and our sweet pup, Finn.
A little slice of paradise: my backyard garden
Have a Question or Interested in Working Together?
The best (and most timely) way to reach out is by completing the contact form.
Please note: coaching inquiries are prioritized and typically receive a response within 48 business hours.