Born in Cornwall and raised in Niagara Falls, Joyce’s maternal family’s roots date back at least three generations to her grandparents who were farmers. Joyce’s early years were spent helping on her grandparents farm, near Brown and Kalar Rd, where she assisted with various chores and worked part-time. No stranger to hard work, Joyce was always ready to help out!

After graduating from Niagara College in the 1980’s Joyce met and married her husband John. Living primarily in the south end of Niagara Falls, the couple lived on Crimson Street before moving to Lakewood Crescent where their two daughters were raised. Joyce is very proud of both girls, each establishing themselves as successful businesswomen in their own right.

Now residing in Chippawa for more than 25 years Joyce is the proud grandmother of four amazing grandchildren, has been married to John for over 40 years, and prides herself on being an active member of the Niagara Falls community. In her spare time she enjoys golfing, walking, reading, and spending time with her family.

Long before entering the political landscape Joyce was a successful businesswoman – working in tourism, event planning, sales, and marketing for over thirty years. After a long tenure with Niagara Falls Tourism, representing Niagara Falls at the international level and negotiating many successful international partnerships, Joyce sought the autonomy of independent business – opening Elements of Success and the Destination Niagara Falls website in 2010.

As president of Elements of Success, Joyce has continued to represent Niagara Falls at the international level and partnering with institutions globally to steadily grow the Niagara Falls economy. Most recently, as President of Destination Niagara Falls, she was the catalyst behind the Destination Niagara magazine – promoting not just Niagara Falls, but all the Niagara Region has to offer. Joyce strongly believes in collaboration and team working within ALL of Niagara – as every municipality is unique and benefits when visitors stay for more than just the famous waterfall.

Joyce recognizes the importance of how our city and region shine as hosts to millions of visitors from across Canada, the USA, and worldwide. She takes great pride in marketing the entire Niagara region to the world.

As an entrepreneur Joyce is able to pull from her own experiences to understand and assist business owners throughout Niagara Falls navigate the turbulent economic climate we find ourselves in. A longtime Rotarian and dedicated volunteer, Joyce was instrumental in raising $9.2 million for the Greater Niagara General Hospital Foundation as its past Chair. She is also a founding member and former Chair of the Niagara Falls Community Centre. Joyce has an active and engaged network with which to draw upon to advise on challenges she faces. She looks forward to engaging this network to assist in her role on Niagara Falls Council.

In the late 1990’s and early 2000’s Joyce’s professional interactions brought into harsh reality the fact that change was needed in Niagara Falls. A strong, confident voice with clear direction and a big heart needed to step forward and advocate for the residents of Niagara Falls. Never one to shy away, Joyce knew that she was the woman for the job.

Over the past twenty-five years Joyce has served three terms as Niagara Falls City Councillor (2003-2006, and 2010 -2018) before setting her sights on the Region of Niagara. Joyce knew that only through partnering with other Niagara municipalities, and advocating at the regional level, would true positive change come to Niagara Falls. Now, having served one term as Regional Councillor for the city of Niagara Falls, Joyce is excited to rejoin city council of the city that she is so proud to represent.

Joyce is a passionate leader and advocate, devoting her life to driving change and influencing positive transformation in her local and surrounding communities. Joyce has long-term, deeply established relationships with officials of municipal, regional, provincial, and federal levels to ensure that Niagara Falls is heard and helped!

Never shy, Joyce will be a strong advocate and loud voice at the city council table to ensure that citizens concerns are heard. Through clear communication, respectful behaviour, and an assertive drive, Joyce is the voice that Niagara Falls has depended on for decades—and now, she’s coming home.

With Joyce’s extensive volunteer experience chances are you’ve already met her at an event, in a committee, or through one of the organizations she has helped for almost three decades. While this is not an exhaustive list of Joyce’s volunteer positions, these are examples of where
you may have seen her over the years.

• Co-Chair Public Health and Social Services Committee – Niagara Region (2022-2026)
• Chair of the Women’s Advisory Committee – Niagara Region (2022-2026)
• Vice Chair Steering Committee The Code of Conduct for Human Trafficking Prevention in the Niagara Region (2024 – present)
• Regional Emergency Management Program Committee – Niagara Region (2023-2026)
• Member Planning and Economic Development Committee – Niagara Region (2022-2026)
• Member Public Works Committee – Niagara Region (2022-2026)
• Member Audit Committee – Niagara Region (2022-2026)
• Member Budget Review Committee of the Whole – Niagara Region (2022-2026)
• Member Waste Management Planning Steering Committee – Niagara Region (2022-2026)
• Member Women’s Advisory Committee – Niagara Region (2022-2026)
• Member Niagara Regional Transit Commission – Niagara Region (2022-2026)
• Board Director Regional Municipality of Niagara Transportation Strategic Steering Committee (2015-2018)
• Board Director Niagara District Airport (2010-2018)
• Founding Member/Chair Niagara Falls Community Health Centre (2006-2013)
• City Councillor – City of Niagara Falls (2003-2006 AND 2010-2018)
• Board Director Project Share (2003-2009)
• Board Director Niagara Falls Humane Society (2003-2009)
• Board Director Niagara Peninsula Energy (2010-2018)
• Board Director Niagara Falls Hydro (2003-2006)
• Director and Past Board Chair Greater Niagara General Hospital Foundation (2002-2009)
• Board Director Winter Festival of Lights (2002-2012)
• Rotarian (2002 – present)
• Member United Way Poor Boy Auction (2000-2008)
• Member Niagara College Special Events Advisory Committee (2000-present)

They say you never stop learning and Joyce takes continuing education very seriously. She is a proud graduate of:

• Niagara College: Management of Human Resources
• Niagara College: Certified Special Event Professional
• Niagara College: Association of Municipal Clerks and Treasures
• St. Catharines Business College: Diploma in Office Administration
• International Association of Convention and Visitor Bureau, Certificate of achievement from Las Vegas: Meetings and Conventions, Sales and Marketing Level one and two.
• Westlane High School