Joanne Lee

Project Officer

Office: 252-347-9971
Fax: 919.843.3083
joanne_lee@activelivingbydesign.org

Bio

As Project Officer for Active Living By Design, Joanne Lee provides direct technical assistance and support to partnerships across the country in their efforts to create healthier communities. Her work spans across several portfolios including the Healthy Kids, Healthy Communities; Active Living by Design; Healthy Eating by Design; Fit Together and Fit Community grants programs. She offers expertise to the multidisciplinary ALBD team in the areas of nutrition, public health, community-level programming, children's and women's health, at-risk populations, chronic disease prevention and related research.

Joanne has unique and diverse experience in various public health and epidemiological research settings in North Carolina, Hawai`i and Arizona. Prior to joining the ALBD staff, Joanne served as the Program Director for the Nutrition Division of the Pitt County Health Department in eastern North Carolina. Previously, she was Lead Research Dietitian for the Nutrition Support Shared Resource Unit of the Cancer Research Center of Hawai`i. She has also served in lead roles on national and international research studies, including NIH-funded investigations. During her career, Joanne has worked closely with local television and print media, including regular appearances on morning news shows.

A Registered Dietitian and Licensed Dietitian/Nutritionist, Joanne completed her M.P.H. and B.S. degrees at the University of Hawai`i, and holds a Certificate of Advanced Clinical Education in Child and Adolescent Obesity from the University of California, San Francisco.

Joanne grew up in Hawai`i and currently resides in eastern North Carolina. She is involved in local efforts to support walkability, and is a regular patron of the local farmers' market. She is the proud owner of four dogs, all rescued from local shelters. She enjoys assisting other dog owners through teaching obedience training, and has served as a volunteer trainer for the New Leash on Life program at a local correctional institution.

Active Living / Healthy Eating Story

Eating fresh mangoes, bananas and papayas picked from trees in the backyard, walking to school, and playing at the beach with friends were normal routines during my childhood days in Hawai'i. I feel fortunate to have grown up in a place where the healthy food options were as rich as the ethnic diversity, and the climate and environment made physical activity easily accessible. Living in different communities in other parts of the country increased my awareness about the importance of community environments in shaping choices and lifestyles. The uniqueness of each community has motivated me to find new ways to incorporate healthy eating and active living in my life. Although the availability of fresh, local produce and opportunities for physical activity are different now that I'm living in a small rural town in eastern North Carolina, it's been a reaffirming adventure to explore new healthy foods and ways to be active. I now take advantage of opportunities to enjoy fresh berries and melon in season, and help create "desire lines" from my home to the post office and other community destinations where there are no sidewalks currently. I believe that experiencing the food, activity and culture are keys to becoming established and part of one's community.