Joanna Deming

Joanna joined our staff at the start of 2008 and works out of our Pittsburgh Office. Before joining the Housing Alliance, Joanna worked as a community organizer and spent several years doing non-profit administration, while showing a dedication to her community. She served as Vice President for the Board of Directors of her neighborhood CDC and co-created and jointly operated a community coffee shop (Beleza) for the purpose of building social capital.

In 2005, Beleza received a Proclamation from Pittsburgh’s City Counsel honoring their work and commitment to the City of Pittsburgh. In 2006, Joanna received Pittsburgh’s 40 Under 40 Award, sponsored by PITTSBURGH magazine and Pittsburgh Urban Magnet Project, given to recognize 40 people under the age of 40 who are committed to shaping the Pittsburgh region and making it a better place for everyone.

Joanna has a Bachelor’s in Social Work from Hope College and a Master’s in Social Work from University of Pennsylvania, where she focused on social policy, administration, and community organizing. Joanna is an active member of Mosaic Community Church and lives on the Northside of Pittsburgh with her husband Gavin and their two young kids Asher and Isaiah.

Empathy is not simply a matter of trying to imagine what others are going through, but having the will to muster enough courage to do something about it. In a way, empathy is predicated upon hope.  — Cornel West