Joanne Munisteri

Educator, Author, Analyst, Mother

Jo has been described as a unique individual who has lived a different life than most. She is an expert in education and training, a health practitioner in Traditional Chinese Medicine, a team leader, a writer, analyst and a mother.

Jo completed training with the US Army Human Terrain System, chosen as a Specialist with the US Department of State, was a project coordinator for USAID, Peace Corps Response, advisor for universities and ministries of education in many parts of the world including in Siberia, Armenia, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

She has survived years of working in remote locations and conflict zones including: Afghanistan, Pakistan, Israel, Iraq and Ukraine. Jo was invited to work and live with Indigenous communities in Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, Northern Africa, and in the USA-most recently in Alaska. (2020-2021)

Jo was selected in 2022 as a grantee for a VETS (Veterans Exploring Treatment Solutions) program with plant and animal medicines in Mexico for dealing with post trauma reactions.

Jo's personal path involves adaptation, resilience and courage. Her son, Denali Schmidt and his father Marty Schmidt ( her ex-husband) ,a former USAF PJ, were killed on K2 in Pakistan in 2013. In addition, she has lost many colleagues and team mates in conflict zones.

She is a graduate of Georgetown University School of Foreign Service, Massey University in New Zealand and New Zealand School of Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine in Wellington.

Her website is: jopattix.com

Her two non-fiction books, "Traveler Between Worlds" and "Traveling Off the X" give accounts of her work and life in a number of different countries.

Her two poetry books, "Kismet" and "CLASH-Poems from Conflict Zones" are published under her creative writing name, Jo Patti.