Joana Donovan shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Joana, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: Would YOU hire you? Why or why not?
Interesting question. Yes, I would hire me because I understand both sides of the hiring table. I know how organizations make decisions, where candidates struggle to articulate value, and how small missteps derail strong careers. I bring clarity, strategy, and calm to moments that are often overwhelming, and I consistently turn complexity into momentum.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
For more than two decades, I’ve sat at the intersection of ambition and uncertainty — working with professionals who know they’re capable of more, but aren’t always sure how to articulate it. Through my work as the founder of Propel Resume and Career Services, I’ve seen firsthand how careers stall not because of a lack of talent, but because people struggle to tell their story with clarity and confidence in moments that matter most.
My approach is grounded in a simple belief: careers are built through understanding — understanding your value, your direction, and how to communicate both in a way that resonates with decision-makers. Whether I’m coaching early-career professionals or seasoned leaders navigating reinvention, the goal is the same — to replace overwhelm with strategy and self-doubt with conviction.
In 2026, that philosophy now comes to life in a new in-person course launching through the Palm Beach County School District Adult Education program. Designed to meet people where they are, the course helps participants build confidence, uncover their professional narrative, and gain practical tools to write their story — not just to get a job, but to land the one that fits.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
Bonds break in careers and leadership when communication is unclear, feedback is avoided, and people feel unseen or undervalued. Growth restores those bonds — through honest dialogue, active listening, accountability, and the courage to align actions with values. Trust is rebuilt when people feel respected, understood, and empowered to contribute.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
I would tell my younger self this: You weren’t lost — you were simply navigating without a guide. Without a mentor, with parents new to this country and a guidance counselor who diminished rather than directed, you did the best you could with limited visibility. I’d encourage myself to choose a different college, a different path of study, and to get involved sooner — not for status, but to understand people, systems, and the human condition earlier. Culture gave me roots, but exposure to the world beyond my family would have expanded my confidence, relationships, and sense of belonging much sooner. That awareness came later — but it came with purpose.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes — the public version of me is the real me. I often describe myself as WYSIWYG: what you see is what you get. I’m unapologetically direct, sometimes unconventional, and I don’t hide behind corporate language or polished jargon. I prefer to cut through the minutiae, get to the heart of the issue, and help people move forward with clarity. That approach isn’t for everyone — and that’s intentional. I’m drawn to working with people who value honesty, momentum, and real progress over performative professionalism.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope they say I helped people see themselves more clearly. That I told the truth when it mattered, cut through confusion, and gave others the confidence to take the next step — even when it felt uncomfortable. If the story is that I made people feel capable, understood, and less alone while finding their way, that would be enough.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://propelresume.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/propelresume
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joanadonovan/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PropelResume
