Joan M. Barnes is a strategic business partner who thrives on challenges, builds strong teams, and delivers results beyond expectations, while finding innovative solutions to business problems.

A seasoned communicator, Joan has 22 years of marketing and communications experience. Before founding Sweetspot, Joan was Director of Communications for the Minneapolis Medical Research Foundation (MMRF) at Hennepin County Medical Center (HCMC). She developed the communications office and was responsible for all strategic planning and implementation. While exercising her creative side, Joan won two Telly awards for producing gala fundraising videos.

Before the MMRF, Joan was Director of the local office of Canine Companions for Independence for eight years where she was responsible for all of the day-to-day operations of the organization. She also has corporate experience including Allstate Insurance, Pitney Bowes, CPT and Compugraphic Corporation.

Joan participates in a number of professional organizations including the International Association of Business Communicators, the Public Relations Society of America and Minnesota Health Strategy & Communications Network. She is also an associate member of the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits and volunteers for a number of different organizations as often as she can. Joan lives in St. Louis Park and serves her community as a member of the St. Louis Park Police Advisory Commission.

Joan graduated from the University of Minnesota with a degree in journalism, and has a master’s certificate in medical technology management from the University of St. Thomas.

At Sweetspot, we believe that each client deserves a team of best-of-breed specialists to work on their project. We partner with some of the most talented, creative minds in the Twin Cities and hand-select the best resources for your project. Our partners include:

• PR professionals
• Branding experts
• Naming experts
• Writers
• Graphic designers
• Photographers
• Web site designers
• Project managers
• Editors
• Videographers and producers
• Fundraising consultants
• Event planners