Jo-Anne Oucharek is honoured to step into the role of President of Route 22 Artist Collective, bringing over 30 years of experience in business leadership, board development, and entrepreneurial training. With a passion for empowering creatives and fostering community, she is committed to supporting the collective’s mission to serve artists at every stage of their journey.

Her professional background includes a decade of board training and development across Alberta. As the former Executive Director of the Cochrane Tourism Association, Jo-Anne built lasting partnerships with the business community and all levels of government. She further strengthened nonprofit leadership as Business Manager for Community Futures Alberta, coordinating governance training for 27 offices across the province.

Educated in board governance, legal compliance, finance, leadership, and staff relations, Jo-Anne offers strategic insight and hands-on experience in organizational growth. Through her consulting firm, Innovators Advantage, she has guided entrepreneurs for more than three decades, helping turn ideas into sustainable ventures.

At Route 22, Jo-Anne champions the gallery as a thriving entrepreneurial hub—one that nurtures artistic excellence while encouraging professional development. She is especially passionate about mentorship and ensuring every artist, from emerging to established, has access to tools and support for success.

Beyond her leadership work, Jo-Anne is an award-winning wildlife photographer. She has represented Team Canada in the World Photographic Cup, won the Grand Prize in Journal of Wildlife Photography, and received numerous finalist and honorable mention awards internationally.

Jo-Anne is proud to lead Route 22 into its next chapter, continuing to build a creative space where innovation, community, and artistry flourish.