Joanne has had a varied career that saw her commence work as a graduate at the Reserve Bank of Australia before entering academia where she worked as a researcher and economic commentator at the Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research at the University of Melbourne. While at the University of Melbourne she also completed her PhD. Joanne joined DFAT in 2003 and has worked in a range of roles where she has applied her economic analytical skills to policy options and programs, including for APEC and G20. Her career as a diplomat has taken her to Japan, Mexico, Afghanistan and from 2018 to 2021 she was Australia’s Ambassador to Iraq. Prior to her appointment as Ambassador to Iraq, she spent a year as DFAT’s inaugural Chief Economist (Trade and Economic). She is now proud to be representing Australia as Deputy Head of Mission at the Australian High Commission in Papua New Guinea, one of Australia’s most pivotal and special international relationships.