Seen, Heard, Valued: Redefining Leadership for Women in Information Governance
Featuring Joan “The Difference Maker” Curran Darkortey, EMBA, CLSSGB, CIP
Despite being the backbone of compliance, risk mitigation, and data integrity, many information governance and records management professionals, particularly women, remain underrecognized and underutilized within their organizations. In today’s rapidly evolving landscape shaped by AI, digital transformation, and increasing regulatory complexity, the role of IG professionals has never been more critical. Yet many still struggle to gain executive visibility, secure buy-in, and position themselves as strategic leaders.
In this powerful and inspiring session, Joan “The Difference Maker” Curran Darkortey, Certified Information Professional (CIP) and former Federal Reserve System RIM consultant, shares her story and practical insights to achieve greater visibility and a proven framework for moving from a support and compliance agent to business value driver and strategic partner.
Drawing from her experience leading at the highest levels of governance and her work as an international nonprofit CEO, Joan will equip attendees with practical strategies to:
- Reposition information governance as a driver of business value
- Communicate effectively with senior leadership and influence decision-making
- Build credibility and visibility across the enterprise
- Step into purpose-driven leadership that extends beyond the workplace
Joan Curran Darkortey Bio
Joan “The Difference Maker” Curran Darkortey, EMBA, CLSSGB, CIP, is a dynamic executive, information governance professional and international nonprofit CEO with over 25 years of leadership experience spanning governance, operations, and global leadership. She spent more than 15 years within the Federal Reserve System, serving in roles of increasing responsibility across both the Cleveland and Atlanta branches.
As a RIM Consultant and Strategist, she not only ensured compliance across the Federal Reserve's Sixth District, encompassing Atlanta, Nashville, Birmingham, New Orleans, Jacksonville, and Miami branches, but also contributed to system-level strategy across all 12 Reserve Banks. During her tenure, she successfully transitioned into operations management in the Economic Research Division, where she played a key role in advancing enterprise-level initiatives, while gaining experience in community development and monetary policy.
Joan is also the Co-founder and CEO of the Liberia Economic Development Initiative (LEDI), an international nonprofit that has awarded over 700 student scholarships and is spearheading a $1.5 million capital campaign to establish Liberia’s first modern public library and technology center, a landmark project poised to transform the nation’s educational landscape.
Her expertise is recognized through prestigious honors, including being named a Crain’s Cleveland Business “Forty Under 40” leader and a lifetime member of Beta Gamma Sigma. She holds a Paralegal degree from Clayton State University, a Bachelor’s from Emory University, and an Executive MBA from Cleveland State University.