Soy Happy's Founder/Director

Johanna (pronounced "yo-hah-nah")  is dedicated to bridging cultural gaps and empowering individuals to realize that their voices and their actions matter. With compassion and action, they can cross divides and help to generate the positive changes they seek to see in the world.

A multi-cultural background

Johanna spent seventeen years living in Spain, India, Japan, and Venezuela. Spanish was her first language and she speaks conversational Japanese. She earned her degree from Duke University, studying Comparative Area Studies and Anthropology.  Following graduation, she worked as a counselor and advisor at Duke’s International House; as a drop out prevention counselor (targeting Hispanic children) for the United Way; and as a private English tutor for Japanese clients.

Experience in the entertainment industry. 

Johanna studied acting with the legendary Sanford Meisner in Los Angeles. She is most often noted for her Guest Starring role as Ensign Calloway in Star Trek The Next Generation and has many additional professional credits in radio, theatre, television and film. She also has professional experience as a story analyst, documentary researcher and producer.  Currently, she is represented by JE Talent in San Francisco.

Published writer

Johanna's personal essays have been published in India Currents Magazine, Moxie Magazine, Journeywoman and a book entitled Voices from the Garden (Lantern Books). She has also written countless articles regarding consumer advocacy and Soy Happy for a variety of publications, including the book by Erik Marcus entitled, Meat Market.  Johanna is also a co-editor and regular columnist for Dare To Be Fabulous , a project that celebrates women's experiences of daring to be true to themselves.

Consumer Advocate

As director of Soy Happy®, Johanna speaks for consumers all over the country.  She utilizes the Soy Happy web site as a tool to educate and hopefully, to inspire healthy and positive change.  Johanna also writes articles on the food industry and consumer empowerment for numerous publications in addition to speaking at conferences and community events.