Josephine Smedley is the founder of JAS & JOY2, a speaking and consulting practice focused on storytelling, communications, community engagement, and creating joy.

With 35 years of leadership experience in nonprofits, public education, and government agencies, Josephine has worked across public health, education, and safety. She is known for dismantling stigma and addressing disparities in health and safety systems—reducing harm through prevention strategies and amplifying authentic voices to shape safer, healthier communities and systems.

As both a survivor and advocate, Josephine knows the power of turning silence into stories and stories into solutions. Her signature program, Thriving Beyond Surviving, addresses prevention and healing by supporting individuals and organizations amplify their voice, identity, and power through storytelling and authentic engagement. Her leadership is rooted in the belief that thriving beyond surviving requires both personal and systemic transformation and that by reshaping narratives, building trust, and fostering human-centered systems, lasting change becomes possible.

At the heart of JAS & JOY2 are her speaking engagements—dynamic keynotes, workshops, and trainings—that weave together storytelling, strategy, and systems change to equip leaders, advocates, and organizations with practical tools they can apply immediately to strengthen engagement and drive meaningful results. 

As a board member with the California Partnership to End Domestic Violence, Josephine is committed to advancing prevention, strengthening post-crisis support, and working with youth to build healthy, respectful relationships and end teen dating violence.