User:Joankww/sandbox

Joan Kelley Walker (born Joan Weisshaar) is a Canadian born, humanitarian, model, television host, producer, journalist, mother of 2 children, and reality television personality. She currently hosts Red Carpet Diary, an entertainment news feature that covers the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). She has worked with World Vision for 18 years and is passionate about working with a variety of cause-related initiatives. Her most recent humanitarian initiative is the “Starting Strong” campaign in Cambodia. Most recently, Walker became a cast member of the reality television series, The Real Housewives of Toronto, which airs Tuesday’s at 10PM on Slice TV.

Early life Joan Kelley Walker was born and grew up in Wilcox, a small Canadian town in the province of Saskatchewan. She moved to Toronto in the late 1980’s to pursue a career in modeling and media.

Career Joan’s career as a runway, print, showroom, and fit model started when she was scouted at the age of 14. She was a natural born spokesperson, which created many opportunities for her in the corporate world. As such she began presenting at some of the major tradeshows in Canada and the United States in the auto, tech, and lumber industries. Clients included Ford, GM, Chrysler, Hyundai, Varn International and Timber Specialties. In 1999 she hosted a series of infomercials for World Vision and donated her salary for those infomercials back to the charity after being deeply moved by their mission. She has been involved in many of their overseas humanitarian missions ever since.

Joan’s career as a spokesperson continued to evolve and she began hosting on Television’s “Canada’s Best Business” by BTV, CTV Sportsnet, the Shopping Channel and Homesense. During this time, Walker also discovered her passion for radio announcing, voiceover work and journalism. In 1992, Walker started Hero Media still in operation today, where as a freelancer she produces and directs corporate videos, commercials and segments. Whether in conjunction with other production companies or as the sole producer, clients include NBA Entertainment, NHL Productions, Dermal FX, Molson, and the Rose of Sharon.

Radio In 1995, Walker was hired for her first radio job at the prominent Canadian station 97.3 Easy Rock to do the entertainment/lifestyle “Heartbeat Reports.” This led her to cohosting and delivering traffic reports and numerous live “remotes” for various events and promotions like the Toronto Zoo’s Easter Egg Hunt and opening day at Canada’s Wonderland. She also worked as the morning anchor at The Weather Network TWN, did reports on 98 CHFI, and the traffic and ‘banter with the sports guys’ on The Fan 590. Walker continued to work in radio until 2003.

Red Carpet Diary Walker has served as a host of The Toronto International Film Festival’s Red Carpet Diary for more than ten years.

The Huffington Post Canada Since 2013, Walker has been a featured contributor at The Huffington Post Canada, writing blog posts that range from interviews with celebrities and musicians to insight on her humanitarian efforts.

The Real Housewives of Toronto Walker debuted as a cast member on the first season of the Real Housewives of Toronto on March 7th, 2017.

Humanitarian work

World Vision Walker has been involved in humanitarian work for the past 18 years. She serves as a World Vision ambassador, a role where she advocates for children in developing countries. Walker has travelled to a number of countries on behalf of the organization including Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania, Congo, Mozambique, Costa Rica, and most recently Cambodia in 2016.

Working internationally with World Vision, Walker and her family currently support 30 children and have invested in an area development program in A Hi Kulene, Mozambique, focusing on building freshwater wells, schools and other infrastructural needs.

Starting Strong Campaign As Walker’s most recent initiative, the “Starting Strong” campaign educates mothers in in Cambodia how to avoid/reverse the effects of stunting in babies, a result of malnutrition and recurrent infections. The primary focus of the campaign highlights the signs shown in babies under the age of two as this is the age when the condition can be reversed. Walker and her husband are the sole supporters.

Awards In May 2016, Walker was awarded the Mother Teresa Award from Athol Murray College of Notre Dame; recognized by her alma mater for her outstanding work with World Vision. Prior to this award, Walker sat for on the board of the Realize the Dream campaign for Athol Murray College of Notre Dame Board.

Also for her volunteer contributions, Walker has been awarded the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal and the Heroes for Children-Power of Generosity Award, considered World Vision’s highest honor. As part of her work with World Vision, having returned from work in Kenya and Tanzania in response to the HIV and AIDS debacle, in 1995 Walker officiated panels at the University of Toronto that included experts on HIV.

United Way From 2010–2014, Walker sat as the regional chair of the Women’s Leadership Council for United Way York Region.

Neighborhood Network Walker continues to volunteer for the Neighborhood Network, a community initiative funded by Magna International Inc. She has delivered the keynote address for the Give back Awards in 2015 and 2016, and will again for the third time later this year.

Magna Howedown As a volunteer, Walker also serves as a judge for the prestigious singing competition at the Magna Hoedown Showdown in Aurora, York Region’s largest fundraising event that donates its proceeds to 15 charities and community groups selected annually.

Right to Play In 2014, Walker was active on Right to Play’s committee for a successful fundraising initiative, with host Canadian comedian Russell Peters. She also travelled with the organization to a refugee camp in Rwanda following the Rwandan genocide in 1994.

Rose of Sharon In 2009, after seeing an ad looking for leaders on her church’s bulletin and as a new mother herself, Walker joined the Board of Rose for Sharon. Her goal was to provide support for new mothers who wanted to continue their education, as well as offer new families support in planning for their future by highlighting every possible opportunity.

In continued support for the hardwork done at the Rose for Sharon, Walker voluntarily produced and directed a fundraising video for them.

Personal life Walker is married to Donald J. Walker, CEO of Magna International. They have two teenage children together.