You could feel his (Professor Michael Lee) passion for the topic and genuineness in the way the programme was designed and delivered; it helps you grow in a gentle and smart manner.
Originally from France, Joanie Dall’anese pursued her studies in marketing, eventually honing her expertise in the wine industry—a natural fit given France’s rich tradition in viticulture. She began her career in Paris, however, her quest for new challenges led her to Dubai, a region where the wine and spirits market was still in its infancy.
In Dubai, Joanie started at the bottom rung of a sales company dispatching leads. Through hard work and determination, she rose through the ranks, eventually becoming the manager of the very team she once supported. This marked a significant turning point in her career, offering her first taste of leadership. However, when the company was acquired and lost its strategic direction, Joanie chose to reassess her path. Her love for food led her to enrol in a culinary school in Dubai. Though she had no aspirations of becoming a chef, the knowledge she gained provided her with a solid foundation to transition into the food industry.
Joining her current company, Joanie’s began in a marketing role and soon took on challenges in HR, sustainability strategy, and even project management for a new culinary academy. Her continuous learning and adaptability made her an invaluable asset, earning her a place on the senior leadership team. Today, Joanie is not only the youngest member of this team but also one of the only two females; contributing fresh perspectives and challenging the status quo. Her journey reflects her belief in meritocracy and the unique environment of the UAE, where potential and integrity are often recognised and rewarded over years of experience.
Joanie draws inspiration from two key role models in her work. The first is Steve Pyle, CEO of Chef Middle East, whose leadership style is characterised by deep trust and a strong belief in people's potential. His behind-the-scenes approach and keen intuition for recognising talent have significantly influenced Joanie's leadership style and growth in the business. The second is her coach, Guido De Wilde, a former Marriott COO with a wealth of experience and executive presence. Although more of a mentor than a traditional coach, his ability to offer valuable insights, from both a marketing and a leadership perspectives, has been crucial for Joanie’s professional journey.
Pursuing Effective Cross-Functional Collaboration
“It feels like a lot of spinning plates at the same time, and I am learning how to really have a more holistic approach. In the midst of everything that has to get done quickly, you often forget the basics,” Joanie shares pensively. With most of her projects designed to require a high level of cross-functional collaboration, she emphasises the importance of collaborative leadership to unify diverse teams and drive the company's growth and sustainability goals effectively.
“How do you get on the same wavelength with your collaborators and do better together?” was a question that often popped into her mind. Recognising that not everyone shares the same objectives at work, she was determined to understand why collaboration is so difficult to achieve. This challenge became a driving focus for her, leading her to seek insights from subject matter experts to deepen her understanding and refine her skills.
INSEAD Collaborative Leadership Programme
A believer of lifelong learning, this was not Joanie’s first foray with INSEAD. Having had a wonderful experience with her first programme, the INSEAD Business Sustainability Programme, Joanie was eager to return. In fact, she has encouraged her peers in the senior leadership team to participate in such transformative experiences at least once a year, stating that the value is twofold: the high quality of education provided by INSEAD and the opportunity to engage with other high-calibre professionals.
Reflecting on her participation in the first cohort of the Collaborative Leadership programme, she admitted not knowing what to expect with the programme but was pleasantly surprised. “You could feel his (Professor Michael Lee) passion for the topic and genuineness in the way the programme was designed and delivered; it helps you grow in a gentle and smart manner,” Joanie enthused.
The programme prompted deep self-reflection, pushing participants to confront uncomfortable questions and truly look inward to find answers, making it an emotionally intense but incredibly positive and valuable learning experience. The experiential learning phase, in particular, was a pivotal moment, allowing her to see that the challenge was not just about implementing new strategies but also about addressing her own role in creating or hindering collaboration.
Returning to work, Joanie was invigorated with ideas and an ardent desire to share her newfound knowledge. While spreading these insights across a large organisation is challenging, she is committed to finding ways to disseminate key concepts, such as the "worrybox" exercise, which she found particularly powerful.
I am the biggest advocate of INSEAD – it brings the best pool of instructors, a wide range of topics and functions to fit your niche, and the quality of people you find yourself surrounded by.
Buoyed by the growth of the wine and spirits industry in the Middle East, Joanie highlights her harmony of professional dedication and personal passion; having achieved the WSET Level 3 certification. Looking forward to further certification in the near future when her schedule permits, her journey epitomises the balance between career success and family life, enriched by her children, two young boys under 10, adding vibrant colour to her days.
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