From 1983 to 2015 Joan was the co-founder, CEO and president of Lasselle-Ramsay, Inc. a leading Silicon Valley professional services firm that worked primarily with high tech companies. LR provided technical product content—the information and learning needed to launch and support new products. Clients included high-profile startups as well as Fortune 100 companies across multiple industries. Clients included Apple, Microsoft, Seibel Systems, Hewlett-Packard, Google, Genentech, and Boston Scientific as well as Chevron, Fireman’s Fund, PG&E, the US Treasury, and US Department of State. 

From day one Lasselle-Ramsay collaborated with clients to provide innovative solutions that linked content and learning to business goals and helped companies (especially startups) scaleproducts and solutions for new product  categories—In 1983, LR’s first clients were 3Com and Apple and in 2015 a major client was Google. As early entrepreneurs,  Joan and her partner grew Lasselle-Ramsay from a two person firm to one that worked with over 500 clients building long term relationships. 

Joan served as a board member of Content Management Professionals (CMPros) and was a regular contributor at industry conferences. She served on the Women's Business Enterprise National Council's (WBENC) Leadership Forum and was recognized by WBENC as one of 14 national business stars. The San Jose Business Journal recognized Lasselle-Ramsay as one of the top 60 women-owned businesses in Silicon Valley. She holds an M.Ed. from the University of Oregon. 

Since transitioning from Lasselle-Ramsay, Joan served as Board Secretary for San Francisco Women Artists and as an Associate Producer for two acclaimed documentary films--“The Art of Being Edythe Boone,” and “Objector”. She regularly provides pro-bono business consulting and mentoring to women-owned small businesses. In March 2020 she joined three other women business leaders to guide It Takes a Village (ITAV) based in Oakland. A rapid response, all volunteer, non-profit organization, ITAV has provided over 300,000 pieces of PPE to safety net hospitals and Bay Area community organizations supporting the underserved. ITAV has brought together over 500 volunteers and donated to over 150 organizations.