JOANNE OGDEN
INTERNATIONAL DIRECTOR
Joanne Ogden from Emo, Ontario, Canada, was elected to serve a two-year term as an international
director of Lions Clubs International at the association’s 105th international convention in Boston,
Massachusetts, USA, July 7 through July 11, 2023.
Director Ogden has more than 40 years of experience as a registered nurse. She currently works as
part of the Senior Management Team for Riverside Healthcare Facilities. Her role there is that of
quality assurance auditor and Ontario Health Team executive lead. Previously, she was the health
program supervisor for the Naicatchewenin First Nation, responsible for community health and home
care nursing. Prior to that, she worked in intensive care for 18 years.
From a young age, she was taught the importance of doing her best for her family, neighbors and
community. Although she did not originally intend to become a Lion, she chose to join the Emo and
District Lions Club in 2010 to assist her community in chartering a new club. Since then, she has
made an even bigger difference in the lives of her neighbors and community. In 2020, she transferred
to the Northwestern Ontario Cyber Lions Club where she continues to serve to this day.
She has held a number of offices within the association including Guiding Lion and multiple district
GMT coordinator. She has served as multiple district 5M’s director for KidSight as well as the Lions
Foundation of Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario. Additionally, she was a district strategy planner
for the NAMI pilot.
In recognition of her service to the association, she has received numerous awards including an
International President’s Award and an International President’s Leadership Award. She has been
honored as a recipient of the Stu Peever Award as well as the 5M10 Kindness Matters Award. She is
also a Progressive Melvin Jones Fellow.
In addition to her Lion activities, Director Ogden is active in several professional and community
organizations including her past service as a board member and chairperson for Riverside Health
Care. Her dedication to improving the health and wellness of the indigenous peoples of Canada has
been recognized and honored with the Award of Excellence in Nursing.
Director Ogden and her husband, Kent, who is also a Lion and Progressive Melvin Jones Fellow,
have been married since 1985. Their two daughters, Chelsey and Riley, are also Lions. They have
two grandchildren named Lauren and Cassidy and Cassidy plans to join her family as a Lion on her
birthday following high school graduation.
In her spare time, Director Ogden raises Arabian horses, golfs and fishes with her husband, or relaxes
with her four miniature dachshunds. During the winter, her family enjoys staying with a Cuban
family in Cayo Santa Maria.
This year, Director Ogden will be traveling with PDG Angela Sharbot, who is a member of the
Atikokan Lions Club, chairperson of Lions Foundation Dog Guides and Progressive Melvin Jones
Fellow.
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