New York State Sen. Joseph Griffo, R-C-Rome, recently recognized Joan Grande as a 2025 New York State Senate Woman of Distinction.
The Senate’s Women of Distinction
“I am honored to recognize Joan Grande as a New York State Senate Woman of Distinction,” Sen. Griffo said. “Joan is a tremendous advocate for others, a passionate volunteer, a remarkable leader and an inspirational woman who continues to give back to the community. She is truly deserving this recognition.”
A bio of Grande is below:
Joan Grande has a strong passion for volunteering, is committed to helping others, has made it a priority to give back and has demonstrated remarkable leadership in support of several charitable and nonprofit organizations in Central New York and the Mohawk Valley.
Ms. Grande is the president of HealthFriends, a community partnership that helps people without medication insurance or the financial resources obtain needed prescribed medications and was past president of the Boys and Girls Club of the Mohawk Valley.
Ms. Grande has also served on the boards of Hospice and Palliative Care, the Resource Center for Independent Living (RCIL), the CNY Vision Foundation, the Masonic Care Community Development Advisory Board and Scouting America, Leatherstocking Council. Additionally, she has been a committee member for the House of the Good Shepherd, Central New York Conservancy, Center For Family Life & Recovery and the Boilermaker Road Race and has served in an advisory role for On Point for College, which has helped more than 11,000 first-generation youth to get into college, stay there, and succeed afterwards.
Ms. Grande has supported several important and worthwhile causes. This includes the Root Farm, a complex in Sauquoit dedicated to therapy through recreation where Ms. Grande has served as interim executive director, the Hospice and Palliative Care’s Light Up a Life campaign, and the Wonderland of Lights, which supported programs offered by RCIL and for which Ms. Grande served as chairperson of the organizing committee. She also was chair of the Adirondack Bank Golf Tournament.
Ms. Grande is executive assistant to Tom Clark, the CEO of Mac-Clark Restaurants. Through her position with the company, she has helped to spearhead many philanthropic efforts that have improved the lives of many others in the region.
Ms. Grande lives in Clinton with her husband, Steve Johns. She has five children (Joshua, Matthew, Nicole, Lindsay and Nicholas) and nine grandchildren (Alexa, Bryce, Colton, Leah, Hannah, Wyatt, Ryan, Avery and Sean).
