Biography

Jo Taranto is a Sydney based  sustainability educator and speaker. Jo grew up in Tenterfield NSW and was the 5th generation to have lived on her family farm. As a child Jo lived through the extreme drought of the 1990s and saw the devastation and toll it took on her family and community. 

Jo trained as an Occupational Therapist, graduating from the University of Queensland with Honours in 2004, and has worked internationally in mental health, community development and rehabilitation settings. 

Completing a Diploma in Health Safety and Environment in 2009, Jo moved into corporate health and safety working for over 10 years with clients like Victoria Police and as the National Safety Manager for a private aged care provider. 

In 2018 she co-founded social enterprise consultancy, Good for the Hood with a mission to create more connected and sustainable communities all over Australia. Through her efforts, she has been nominated for Citizen of the year in her own community of Ryde and won several awards including Volunteer Group of the year for her local campaigns. 

Jo has worked with over 200 organisations and has appeared on national television and media outlets sharing her passion for good citizenship and sustainability. She is currently the co-host of a new Channel 10 television called Planet Shapers. Jo has been trusted to share the stories of brands and organisations like XXXX, Brighte, Coca-Cola-Amatil and the Australian Cane Growers Association. 

Jo passionately believes in the role grassroots solutions play in strengthening the social and ecological connection of communities. She advocates that everyone has a role to play in making their community or organisation a positive force for good.

Joanne identifies as lgbtqia+.

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