Bio

Growing up, I exhibited many skills, so it was difficult to determine which career I would pursue. My mum would comment that I should become a lawyer, perhaps because I often came to the defence of my friends who were bullied by others.  My dad would comment that I should become an accountant, ostensibly because I kept a balance sheet for my piggy bank.  

For me, teaching the less privileged kids in my neighbourhood who did not have the opportunity to be enrolled in primary school or explaining school subjects to a classmate who was having a bit of a hard time triggered my interest in teaching.  And so, I often fantasized about being a lawyer, an accountant, and a teacher all at once.

Today, I am privileged and grateful that my fantasy is a reality!  

I am a dynamic, multi-disciplinary and dual-qualified lawyer passionate about becoming a better version of myself and helping others forge their paths. I am a member of the Ghana Bar and the Law Society of Alberta, Canada.

Education

I hold a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Ghana Law School and proceeded to study for a Master of Laws with a focus on Corporate & Commercial Transactions at Harvard Law School.

Prior to pursuing law, I obtained a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (Finance Major) and a Master of Philosophy in Finance, both from the University of Ghana Business School- not exactly the Accountant my father wanted me to be, but close enough!

Legal Career

As a lifelong learner who seeks new challenges, experiences and outlooks, I immigrated to Calgary, Alberta, Canada, where I continue to work as a lawyer focusing on corporate, commercial and energy law.

I’ve worked as Legal Counsel & Company Secretary for Aker Energy Ghana Limited, a Norwegian upstream oil and gas company, where I provided legal advice for developing the Pecan Oil Field offshore Ghana. Before that, I worked with Tullow Ghana Limited, an Anglo-Saxon independent upstream oil and gas company in a similar capacity - supporting the development and production of oil and gas at the Jubilee and TEN fields offshore Ghana. 

Academic Career

I’ve held the position of a Lecturer with Ghana’s premier Business School at the University of Ghana, where I taught Commercial Law and Company Law from 2016-2019. I then moved to the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration, where I taught Administrative Law, Environment Law, and Labour and Employment Law from 2019 - 2021.

Professional Development, Project Management & Finance

At the start of my career, I worked with the International Non-profit - British Council - as Professional Development Services Projects Coordinator, where I set up and managed the British Council’s Professional Development Services, which offered talent development solutions to businesses in Ghana.

Career Coaching, Mentoring & Volunteering

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 jolted me to think about how my life could be more impactful beyond myself. Being a lifelong learner passionate about nurturing talent, I decided it was to inspire and guide young people on their professional journies. I thus established a career strategy and coaching consultancy - Joan Michaels Career Consulting. The philosophy of our consulting business is to leverage my personal story and experiences, as well as that of the highly successful individuals I have been blessed with along my journey, to provide academic counselling for students and career guidance for young professionals.

As a volunteer, I provide mentorship and free career coaching to students, young professionals and new immigrants to Canada.

Looking Forward

However, like the apostle Paul, I do not consider myself yet to have attained, but I march forward unto the mark of a higher calling - dreaming, evolving, and becoming.

I hope my story inspires you into action. 

With love and hope,