Joani is a proud native of Washington, DC, who grew up in the suburbs of Bethesda-Chevy Chase, MD. Following college years in Florida and California, graduating from the Univ. of California with degrees in ornamental horticulture, botany and landscape design, Joani moved on to a 28-year career in the garden center, nursery and landscape design fields.
Long a beach and boating enthusiast, Joani discovered the ESVA and Onancock in 2000 and decided to make a life change from the city – and never looked back. Joani was the owner/operator of gardenART on King Street until 2012, during which time she jumped into many local organizations on boards and as volunteer, wrote grants for ES Health District & EVMS and started a part time position with Friends of Onancock School/HOS in 2014.
Ten years later, she is Executive Director and has seen HOS through many positive changes, with the goal to provide a welcoming place for all residents and visitors to the shore community to meet, engage, and connect with the arts, each other and nature. When not in the office, Joani spends time outdoors gardening, buying more plants and dispensing plant knowledge, on the beach or water, pursuing art, enjoying friends and getting exercise walking her dog, Sam.
