Joan De Souza has 20 years managerial experience as the Customer Service Manager at the Los Angeles Times, managing and leading more than 200 staff. She was a decision-maker responsible for implementing a firm wide circulation system, which became the central hub of the subscription and delivery process. She was also responsible for implementing such projects as the home delivery customer service at La Opinion. Currently she is the founder of a local business support group, Business4Business, which assists businesses to continuously succeed. Joan is extensively involved with her community.

She served on the Executive Board of directors for the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce in which she was the Vice Chair of Membership. Joan is the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce Lead Ambassador, the Fundraising Director of the Pasadena Quarterbacks Club, Board member of the Foundation for Living Beauty, Community Engagement Specialist for The First Tee Pasadena, Co-Chair Special Needs Ministry at St. Philip the Apostle Church, former member of the Board of Directors Rosemary Childrens Services, Volunteer Coordinator Special Olympics World Games Los Angeles 2015 and former member of Business Networking International. Joan was born in Lawrence, MA and raised in Northern California. She graduated from San Diego State University with a degree in Social Sciences.