Print HERStory Month 2026: Joanne Gore

Joanne Gore
President & Chief Strategist
Joanne Gore Communications
https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannegore121/

1) What does “making your move” mean to you at this stage of your career?

“Making your move” means choosing yourself with intention, even when the industry is loud, changing, or uncertain. It’s acting on what you know you’re capable of, not waiting until someone else confirms it for you. At this stage, my moves aren’t about proving I belong; they’re about deciding how I want to lead, what kind of work I want to be known for, and what I’m no longer willing to tolerate. 

It also means protecting my energy and my values, saying yes to the things that stretch me in the right direction, and saying no to the things that drain me, shrink me, or keep me stuck in other people’s expectations. The older I get, the more I believe that clarity is power. When you know what matters to you, your next move becomes a decision, not a debate.  

At this stage in my career (and life), it also means making moves that create lift for other women through mentorship, visibility, and creating pathways, especially for the next generation of girls who print. 

2) Can you share a moment when you took action that moved your career forward?

A pivotal move for me was choosing to join a software company, Delrina, and step into the ranks of corporate marketing. In my early career years, after graduating CEGEP (College) in Montréal as a graphic designer and typesetter, I was already learning what it takes to deliver in the real world: tight deadlines, high standards, finicky clients – and bosses – and the kind of accountability you only get when the work has to go out the door, on time, and done right. 

Delrina was one of Canada’s most successful software companies of its time, best known for WinFax PRO, and it became my first corporate marketing role. I wasn’t hired because I had a marketing degree; I was hired for what I could do: manage projects, campaigns, people, and print. What started as a job as a production manager eventually evolved into a career with leadership roles for some of the largest tech companies of their time, including: Compaq/HP, Avanti/Ricoh, Xenos/Actuate, DST Output/Broadridge, to name a few.  

I was fortunate to work for – and with – some amazing and powerful women throughout my career, despite being in the “male-dominated” tech industry, who helped guide my corporate journey. Now it’s my turn to pay it forward, and one of the many reasons I became the Regional Director for Girls Who Print Canada.

3) What helped you recognize the right time to make that move?

Trust your gut, get clear on your why, then make the move that supports it. Be willing to learn fast, roll up your sleeves, and take action before you feel “ready.” Also, don’t underestimate how much credibility you earn by doing the work, delivering results, and proving you belong, especially in male-dominated rooms. 

Once I stopped trying to fit into the version of “professional” I thought the industry expected, and started showing up as myself: direct, curious, and committed to helping people move forward, my career soared. The move wasn’t one big leap; it was a series of choices to keep going, keep learning, and keep contributing, even when I wasn’t sure how it would all unfold. 

It took me a while to get there, but that decision gave me the courage to speak up more, share what I’ve learned, and build relationships based on real connection instead of trying to impress the room. It also gave me the confidence to lead in my own way, even when the path wasn’t obvious. 

Don’t wait for permission. Don’t wait until you feel fearless. Make the move anyway, and let the confidence catch up to the action. 

• Choose the next step that expands your skills, your voice, and your options. 
• Put yourself in rooms that make you braver, not smaller. 
• Find community and mentors, then become one when you can. 

And I’ll be honest: taking action can be really scary! Until you realize that one brave yes can set a trajectory that lasts decades, even if you can’t see the full path yet. 

Girls Who Print Testimonial:

Girls Who Print has meant community in the truest sense: connection, confidence, and continuity in an industry where trust and relationships matter. As Regional Director for Girls Who Print Canada, I welcome the opportunity to pay it forward and create lift for other women through mentorship.