Author | Writing Collaborator | Business Writer
For more than three decades—as an award-winning writing collaborator, Forbes journalist, and corporate communications advisor—I’ve helped CEOs, leaders
and creative thinkers share experiences and insights
via bestselling books and other mediums.
My role is to draw out stories, clarify thoughts,
connect disparate ideas, and amplify voices in ways
that inform and engage a niche or global audience.
In 2024, I was included in the The Information's
Top Five ghostwriters of business books, and my
co-authored book Good Power received the Andy Award for Best Business and Thought Leadership Collaboration from Gotham Ghostwriters and the American Society of Journalists and Authors.
My Look for the Book™ consulting sessions help potential authors unpack nascent book ideas, learn about the publishing process, and decide how to best move forward to bring their stories and expertise life.
My Story
W
Writing is my profession and my passion.
I wrote my first book when I was 12, on a Smith-Corona Corsair Deluxe turquoise portable typewriter. I didn't know then that I would turn a joyful hobby into my life's work.
And yet even from a young age I've been curious about the world of work, from why people choose career paths to how companies and leaders succeed despite the odds. I've written countless articles exploring these and other topics, and collaborated on 11 books with multiple publishers.
Prior to becoming an author, I was a reporter, writer, and contributing editor in New York for Forbes magazine. There, I learned from talented editors and wrote articles of businesses in a variety of industries. One of my articles turned into my first book collaboration, Roadtrip Nation. I also worked on the Forbes 400, an unusual experience that inspired my second book, Be Happy at Work. In it, I profiled 100 women who loved their jobs—a CEO, a scientist, a sales rep, a truck driver—and explored why through themes and archetypes.
Over the years, my writing has appeared in a variety of publications and online, including essays and even some satire published under a pseudonym.
I also worked in business-to-business corporate communications for six years between college and earning a master’s degree from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University, with a focus on business writing and reporting. At Northwestern I was awarded the G.D. and Rance Crain Publishing Management Award. My bachelor’s degree in journalism is from Indiana University, Bloomington.
I grew up outside Chicago, have lived in Boston and Seattle, and currently live in—and love—New York City.
Collaboration Process
Collaborative writing, especially in someone’s distinctive voice, is a skill that comes naturally to me, and is also a craft I’ve honed. The process is as important as the final product, and if done well, both can be compelling and revelatory to my client/authors as well as readers. That said, everyone’s voice and story is different, so every collaboration is unique.
My subject’s communication style—your style—and our editor’s guidance drive our schedule and what the process looks like. How and when we work together depends on where you work best and are most comfortable expressing your thoughts. In-person, or via Zoom, phone calls, or even a shared doc. We don’t have to live in the same city, although there will be many times I come to you.
As a former journalist, I believe that telling a well-rounded account, even from one person's point of view, is important for credibility, so I supplement your perspective with research and interviews with others to present a thorough, accurate picture of history and to further flesh out ideas.
My writing collaborations aren't just for books. I've can help with marketing for the book's launch, and serve as an on-call writer and editor, helping CEOs and their teams craft internal memos, speeches, and social media.
Always, I try to make the creative process as predictable and enjoyable as possible. While there are many unknowns, there are areas where I never compromise, and things that clients, editors, and publishers can expect from me every step of the way:
I am professional, trustworthy, and respectful of everyone’s time.
I believe that readers want to be inspired, as well as discover ways
to improve their work, enhance their lives, and, quite often, change the world.
I bring history, data, and ideas to life via storytelling that weaves truth,
facts, lessons, insight, and actionable information.
That’s how we create a “memoir with purpose.”
I am committed to our mutual definition of success, be it a bestseller,
a tool to help grow your business, or scaling meaningful ideas.
I am committed to accuracy in reporting and storytelling while honoring
individual truths. I fact check what we put out into the world so there are no unexpected surprises or predictable errors.
Ultimately, we’ll produce a body of work that we are proud to share.
Client Reflections
Lew Franfort
Former CEO, Coach
Bag Man
Reflecting on my past decisions and behaviors for this book helped me better understand the arc of my own life and Coach’s journey. I could not have gotten there if it wasn’t for my writing partner, Joanne Gordon. She compelled me to dive deeper than I thought was possible in understanding the forces that drive me both positively and negatively. Due to her curiosity, empathy, and investigative skills, Joanne came to truly understand me and became an expert on Coach. During hundreds of hours of conversations, we developed a natural and easy working relationship. We share similar values and I am honored to consider her a lifelong friend.
Lew Franfort Former CEO, Coach Author, Bag Man
Ginni Rometty
Former CEO, IBM
Good Power
Joanne Gordon is an unbelievably experienced and gifted writer, who is both thorough and patient. Joanne pushed me to look deep within myself, to talk more about how I felt versus what I saw, all things my analytical, engineering mind did not do naturally. She pored through my archived documents and articles and made sure everything written was accurate and fact-checked. She helped me take a lifetime of facts and stories, plus my ideas about the future, and weave them into a narrative with the intent to inspire and benefit anyone. With that intent, the book became a sort of memoir with purpose. Joanne settles for nothing less than excellence, and I am beyond grateful that I found her.
Howard Schultz
Chairman Emeritus
Starbucks Coffee Company
Onward and From the Ground Up
The research, writing, and editing were made almost seamless by the extraordinary talent and grace of Joanne Gordon, who was able to capture my voice on the page. She possesses the rare ability to walk in one’s shoes, and she helped give me the confidence to tell personal stories. And it was Joanne who figured out how to weave the stories of my past and present into one seamless narrative. From the Ground Up is the manifestation of the ‘love and responsibility’ I feel to the people in my life, none which would have been possible without her insight, unique perspective, and sheer brilliance. She routinely and unselfishly accommodated my own busy schedule, and I am deeply grateful for her tireless collaboration.
Bill McDermott
Former CEO, SAP AG
Winners Dream
Joanne was a remarkable partner in the book’s evolution. She found my voice for the book, and helped me write my story in a manner that allowed me to prioritize the demands of running a global corporation. I could not have possibly imagined a better writer and friend.
Don Lowman and Julie Gebauer
Principals, Towers Watson
Closing the Engagement Gap
We both love to write and share our ideas, and Joanne is an experienced author without whom we would not have been able to complete this book. Joanne kept us focused on deadlines and on the key messages we wanted to convey while helping us eliminate (most of) our consulting language. She combed through thousands of pages of background materials and interview notes and helped us crystallize our thoughts and convey them succinctly. We are grateful for her partnership and have enjoyed sharing this experience with her. We sincerely appreciate her energy, enthusiasm, and commitment.
Mike Marriner and Nathan Gebhard
Founders, Roadtrip Nation
Roadtrip Nation
Joanne was so much more than just a co-author for Roadtrip Nation, she became a real founding piece of the movement we were trying to build. Originally we were concerned that having someone write the book with us would just feel like a journalist observing our experience from the outside. What actually happened was that she took off the gloves and really got under the hood to help build what Roadtrip Nation, the organization, would eventually become. We became great friends along the way, and she truly helped Roadtrip Nation to find its voice and place in the world. It’s hard to imagine our journey without her being a part of it.