Magnolia State News

Empower Mississippi recently announced the addition of Joanna Polk to its team. In her new capacity as executive assistant and development manager, Polk will be tasked with supporting the organization's CEO, managing Empower's strategic fundraising budget, and broadening the organization's donor base.

Before joining Empower Mississippi, according to a press release from the organization, Polk held positions at the University of Mississippi Medical Center School of Dentistry and St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church’s Weekday Ministry. She earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Southern Mississippi.

The press release also mentioned that Polk and her son, Easton, live in Pelahatchie. They are both active members of Journey Church in Pearl, Miss. Outside of work, Polk enjoys spending quality time with family, reading books, and shopping.

Empower Mississippi is a nonprofit 501(c)(4) political advocacy group that concentrates on education, work, and justice issues as per information available on its website. Besides its advocacy division, it also operates a foundation and a political action committee.

In its 2023 impact report released in February as stated in a previous press release by Empower Mississippi, the organization reported on activities it had undertaken over the past year. These included an initiative aimed at ensuring continuity of representation within the judicial system to render the criminal justice process more equitable for all. The group also advocated for full expensing for capital investments—a tax reform expected to benefit all businesses within the state. Through its Embark initiative, Empower Mississippi supported school leaders in opening new public charter schools and private microschools across the state.