Joanna Edwards ’16MSM on Connecting her Community to Real Estate
6/19/22, 12:30 PM
Simmons was a great stepping stone for dealing with conflict, ethics, and taking into consideration the needs of the target audience. Simmons was great in providing the foundations for those conversations.
What led you to your Master’s of Science in Management at Simmons?
For fifteen years, I was an advocate for survivors of domestic violence. I had a bachelors degree in criminal justice and psychology, but my manager told me that to be competitive in the field, especially as a woman of color, I needed an advanced degree. I had never been in a management position, but I wanted to think more strategically about how to build structure and run a business, so it seemed the appropriate time to get a management degree. Colleagues spoke highly of Simmons, so it was my top choice.
I completed the MSM program in 2016 and the following year I started my nonprofit, Thumbprint Cares, the philanthropic arm of Thumbprint Realty, the real estate agency I own with my husband. It stemmed from a desire among our agents to give back to the community. We did a Christmas toy giveaway a few years in a row, and saw that there was such a need. We decided to file for 501c3 so we can fundraise and host these events separately from the realty. A lot of our agents and their families volunteer at these events.https://www.simmons.edu/news/joanna-edwards-16msm-connecting-her-community-to-real-estate