Meet the ceo of Joyous Leader

Learn her Story

"For what will you be remembered?" is a question that echoed in my soul when I sat in my car in the FedEx parking lot alone and immobile with an ear-splitting headache and numbness in my left side, blurred vision, and a brief loss of consciousness. I remember opening my eyes and looking at the bright blue sky, the white snow on top of my windshield, and I knew something was gravely wrong.

A few minutes later, I found myself in the local hospital emergency room, holding my head in my hands, crying uncontrollably, and desperately trying to use the breathing techniques that I had taught to so many people over the years to center themselves. Unfortunately, with each breath I took, my cries turned into sobs. I was consumed with feelings of guilt, shame, and helplessness. 

"I am better than this," I said to myself.

I prided myself on having an impeccable appearance because it symbolized my attention to detail and my commitment to always being prepared. When you saw me, you felt my passion for life and felt energized by it. However, internally, I felt alone, tired, and stressed. I was sad and stuck in a cycle of dissatisfaction.

On that day, my mascara painted black streaks on my face, and I knew that I had to recommit to my own self-care. My body demonstrated stroke-like symptoms because of undue stress. It was hard for me to accept that I had become part of the 78% of Americans who reported feeling physical ailments due to stress. After all, I taught meditation and mindfulness, but I did not create the space for my own personal practice. What I did not take into account was the importance of all sources of energy, such as sleep, healthy foods, and exercise, and the need for consistency with my self-care routine. Yes, I was successful and led an envious external life, but internally I was missing me – my joy. Have you ever felt lost? Have you felt that your accolades, financial success, and recognitions are just not enough? I understand that completely because that was me!

With the guidance of my mentors and coaches, I reconnected with myself and committed to helping other leaders to do just that using the Sacred Seven Daily Practice program that I have created!

So, I am here today to tell you that your joy matters; your well-being matters. You do not have to hit rock bottom to place yourself on your priority list.

Founder, Joyous Leader International | Leadership Strategist | Speaker | Author

Johane Ligondé, Ed.D., is a transformational leader, strategist, speaker, and founder of Joyous Leader International, a leadership and personal development company built on a powerful conviction: we should not have to sacrifice our joy to achieve extraordinary success.

Born in Haiti and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Johane's journey has been shaped by ambition, resilience, faith, education, and an enduring belief in human possibility. For more than two decades, she has led people and organizations through transformation, helping leaders create cultures where excellence, well-being, purpose, and joy can coexist.

At the heart of Johane's work is the belief that internal transformation is the catalyst for external and systemic change. She challenges accomplished executives to look beyond traditional measures of achievement and consider a more powerful question: Who are you becoming while you are succeeding?

Johane's career spans executive leadership, organizational strategy, education, coaching, teaching, and community service. An award-winning educational leader, she has served as a school principal, district executive, and adjunct instructor at Teachers College, Columbia University. Her leadership has centered on transforming organizational culture, developing leaders, building high-performing teams, and translating vision into meaningful action.

A scholar-practitioner, Johane earned her Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) from Russell Sage College, where her research examined the relationship between quiet ego and the leadership actions of secondary school principals. She also holds an Ed.M. from Teachers College, Columbia University, a master's degree in English Education from Union College, and a bachelor's degree in English from the State University of New York at Albany. Her professional development includes leadership and coaching training through John Maxwell, Robbins-Madanes, and Lisa Nichols, as well as training in mindfulness and breathwork.

Johane has brought her message to audiences ranging from organizational and educational leaders to members of the United States Congress, where she presented practical mindfulness and life-skills approaches for addressing trauma and stress in schools. Her speaking engagements have also included the NAACP New York State Conference, the Global Mental Health Summit, and the National School Boards Association Annual Conference.

She is a #1 Amazon International Best-Selling author, podcast host, coach, and facilitator whose work reaches leaders through speaking, leadership development, master classes, courses, and transformational experiences.

Johane's commitment to leadership extends deeply into community service. She has served on the SKY Schools Program Advisory Board and the Board of Directors of Haitian Americans United for Progress (HAUP), among other civic and professional organizations. Her contributions have been recognized through honors including the New York State PTA Lifetime Award and awards celebrating her commitment to education, community, and whole-person leadership.

Today, through Joyous Leader International, Johane is building a movement centered on a bold vision: to empower one million leaders to recognize the power, value, and impact of their own joy.

Her message is simple, but transformative:

Your leadership matters.

Your well-being matters.

Your joy matters.

And you matter.

Johane's work invites accomplished leaders not to become less ambitious, but to redefine what it means to succeed—to lead with excellence, live with intention, act with courage, and create a life and legacy that are truly their own.

Johane was honored to participate in the 84th Annual NAACP New York State Conference