Joanna Killen

Currently Seeking Opportunities

Message

Intro

Saint John, Canada

City Councilor Ward 1 at City of Saint John

Studied History at University of New Brunswick

Joined April 19, 2025

Skills

Languages

English

Native or Bilingual

About

I'm a community-minded leader, educator, and entrepreneur with over a decade of experience helping people feel empowered — whether that's through one-on-one client support, hands-on service, or big-picture systems thinking. My career has spanned everything from owning and operating a busy local restaurant to teaching workplace essential skills at NBCC, advising startups, and serving as a City Councillor in Saint John. At the heart of it all is my passion for helping people navigate change with confidence and clarity. I'm calm under pressure, deeply empathetic, and I love simplifying complex information so people feel seen, supported, and set up for success. Now, as I prepare to return to the workforce in August 2025 following maternity leave, I'm looking for remote roles where I can bring that same energy to client support — offering compassionate communication, responsive problem-solving, and a strong sense of ownership to every interaction.

Experience

City of Saint John

May 2021 – Present

Saint John, New Brunswick

City Councilor Ward 1

Addressed citizen inquiries via email, phone, and social media; tracked responses and followed up with departments. Facilitated complex conversations with empathy and accountability. Documented resident feedback and advised on municipal service improvements.

New Brunswick Community College

Apr 2024 – Aug 2024

Saint John, New Brunswick

NBCC Workplace Essential Skills Instructor

Delivered tailored workplace readiness curriculum to adult learners in a supportive and inclusive learning environment. Provided 1:1 coaching, tech literacy training, and ongoing mentorship. Developed lesson plans and assessments, tracked student progress, and adjusted approaches to support individual learning styles.

Kaleidoscope Social Impact

Feb 2023 – Oct 2023

Saint John, New Brunswick

Retiree Employment Agency – Workforce Development Specialist

Provided individualized job support to older clients, walking them through technology, applications, and onboarding processes. Maintained client communication records and tracked support outcomes. Supported cross-functional team needs with care, detail, and a solution-oriented mindset.

Slocum and Ferris Restaurant

May 2021 – Nov 2022

Saint John, New Brunswick

Owner/Operator

Oversaw full day-to-day operations, including customer service, staffing, inventory, and ordering. Personally handled breakfast and lunch service, ensuring a welcoming and consistent guest experience. Implemented systems for efficient kitchen and front-of-house workflows, improved vendor communication, and resolved customer concerns.

Momentum Canada

Jan 2017 – Nov 2022

Saint John, New Brunswick

Owner/Operator

Supported hundreds of small business clients, offering virtual onboarding, support, and troubleshooting. Developed instructional content and knowledge-sharing tools.

Enterprise Saint John

Feb 2014 – Jan 2017

Saint John

Entrepreneur Development Officer

Advised new clients on business validation and product development strategies. Provided technical setup guidance for online tools and business services. Collected and analyzed participant feedback to improve program delivery.

Education

University of New Brunswick

Sep 2002 – Apr 2008

Bachelor of Arts, History