Joanna James is a changemaker dedicated to sharing stories and raising voices through filmmaking and advocacy.

She’s the director, writer, and producer of the award-winning documentary, A Fine Line, with its national broadcast premiere on PBS, playing on every major airline and cruise line, educational screenings from Harvard University to the Culinary Institute of America, gaining over 450 million viewers— and was awarded Vanity Fair’s “Best Documentary by a first-time filmmaker.” Through her filmmaking and advocacy she has impacted policy change, created greater access to mentorship and resources for women in the culinary and hospitality industries across the globe building an international community.

Joanna is the CEO of Joanna James Films, as creative director specializing in crafting authentic storytelling with high quality film production to evoke emotion and ensure your story resonates. Our combined creative approach capturing cinematic storytelling merged with expert media strategy & distribution, digital marketing and SEO leads to an expanded target audience— so your story gets seen with the visibility and reach it deserves.

She is the Founder of MAPP, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit merging storytelling with skills training and workforce development to raise industry standards and build a more sustainable culinary and hospitality industry. We have transformed the culinary and hospitality landscape into a more inclusive and thriving community where every woman’s potential is reached. MAPP produces an annual conference and advocacy summit on Capitol Hill bringing together world renowned chefs, culinary and hospitality professionals, media, legislators and Fortune 500 companies including long standing partners like PepsiCo, Delta Air Lines, Distinguished Vineyards and Marriott International.

Joanna is a keynote speaker, focusing on the topics of women in leadership and advancing inclusivity in the workplace, as well as motivational speaking for girls. She has spoken to cohorts at influential organizations like Google, PepsiCo, and Chevron, and prestigious universities including Harvard and The Culinary Institute of America. Her film work directing and producing, including branded content, has been featured in The O Magazine, NPR, Forbes, The Boston Globe, Food & Wine, and The James Beard Foundation.

Prior to filmmaking, Joanna was a newspaper reporter at The Boston Globe,where she was awarded Best Environmental Reporting from the New England Press Association and covered the 2004 Summer Olympic Games in Athens.

Her passion for impacting the lives and careers of women was ignited by a deep gratitude for the sacrifices of her ancestors, and the love of her three daughters, Ava, Mariella, and Zoe. Joanna couldn’t do it without the love and support of her husband Charles, the ultimate feminist.