Joan Cardy, founder and president of The Cardy Group Toronto, has spent a lifetime acquiring experience around passionate and purposeful people culminating in the launch of her own firm 18 years ago. Her career started in sales and marketing, working for a family owned custom office furniture company based in Calgary. Upon arriving  in Toronto in 1982  Joan was hired in a sales capacity of a boutique interior design firm to expand their portfolio internationally eventually transitioning to her first job in procurement for the firm. After a successful hotel opening Joan followed her passion for procurement joining the newly formed Gerry Brown & Associates. Joan worked with Brown for 14 years as an associate expanding the company’s client portfolio and eventually as custodian of all client activities while Brown moved to Chicago in 1992 to open GBA Hospitality.

In 1999 Joan purchased the Toronto contracts from Brown and opened The Cardy Group; the firm has grown with an exceptional team of talented professionals. Joan uniquely positioned The Cardy Group overseeing the FF&E and OS&E procurement, for numerous repeat clients, with a focus on lifestyle, boutique, and luxury projects. The team has successfully completed hundreds of hotels, resorts, restaurants, and condominiums developments and renovations. Cardy continues to build a strong network of vendors allowing for a broad base of global resources.

Throughout Joan’s career she has been recognized for her leadership and accomplishments including substantive experience mentoring several of today’s current and future owners of successful purchasing companies. Cardy is a member of NEWH, WEConnect International, and ISHP (as well as a past member of the board), and the mother of two sons who have both chosen a career in hospitality—Chris at The Cardy Group, and Jamie in his last year of a hotel management degree.