About the Author

Award-Winning Hairstylist • Entrepreneur • Advocate • Speaker • Creator

Joan Dellavalle is an award-winning hairstylist, entrepreneur, motivational speaker, and global storyteller whose life and work are guided by one powerful truth: nothing is permanent

Born in Zambia and now based in Australia, Joan’s journey is one of resilience, reinvention, and purpose. Since migrating to Australia in 2001, she has transformed personal adversity into a life of service, becoming a respected voice for empowerment, diversity, community impact, and living fully in the present moment.

Professional Leadership & Creative Excellence

Joan is the Founder and Director of Ebony & Ivory Hair & Beauty, a leading salon in Perth specialising in all hair types. Her work extends far beyond aesthetics each transformation is an act of care, confidence building, and human connection. With technical mastery and emotional intelligence, Joan creates spaces where people feel seen, valued, and renewed.

Through workshops, masterclasses, and immersive experiences, Joan empowers hairstylists and individuals from all walks of life from creatives and entrepreneurs to anyone seeking clarity, confidence, and purpose. Her training is rooted in mindset, self-belief, resilience, and courage, offering practical tools and lived wisdom that help people build sustainable paths, reconnect with their purpose, and embrace transformation at every stage of life.

Awards & Recognition

Joan’s leadership, creativity, and commitment to community have been recognised nationally and internationally.

Major Awards

• Women Economic Forum Award – Iconic Women Creating a Better World for All
• Belmont Small Business Awards – Business Woman of the Year (2011)
• Google Developers Certificate of Appreciation for community impact and outreach

Honours & Features

• Finalist – City of Perth Auspire Australia Day Community Citizen of the Year Awards
• Featured on ABC’s Impossibly Australian with Miriam Margolyes
• Oprah Daily Insider Originator
• Met Oprah Winfrey

Advocacy & Community Impact

At the heart of Joan’s work is service. She is deeply committed to advocating for diversity and inclusion, AIDS awareness, cancer support and early detection, and youth empowerment through multicultural mentorship.

Her outreach spans Australia, Bali, and beyond, where she delivers free haircuts, life-skills workshops, hairdressing training, orphanage support, community development initiatives, and empowerment sessions. Her work reflects a deep belief that while circumstances may change, dignity, humanity, compassion, and hope must remain constant.

Travel, Lifestyle & Global Storytelling

As the visionary behind JoanTravel3, Joan curates meaningful travel experiences, luxury guides, private tours, and global storytelling rooted, connection, and intention. Her work inspires people to travel and live fully with curiosity and joy, grounded in her philosophy that when we accept that we constantly moving, we learn how to truly live.

Brand Alignment & Collaborations

Joan collaborates with brands and organisations across beauty, travel, hospitality, fashion, arts, education, community, and wellness. Her voice is authentic, influential, and deeply human, making her a powerful partner for brands that value purpose, storytelling, and lasting impact.