An accomplished professional with a highly diversified background, Joahna Lou E. Tupas began her career in psychology before finding her passion in multimedia arts. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in multimedia arts from De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde in 2005. As an undergraduate, she founded a successful multimedia arts agency and production company, overseeing various projects in advertising, graphic design, web design, animation, photography, and video production.
Aside from fulfilling her role as the chief executive officer of her company, ToInk Productions, Ms. Tupas further gained valuable industry experience through her roles as an intern at BigTop Entertainment, a marketing assistant at CentralBooks Publishing, and a marketing executive at Ricco Renzo Art Gallery. In 2010, she accepted a teaching position as a professor in her alma mater’s multimedia arts program, while continuing her involvement in marketing communications and public relations at PeopleBrowsr in Sydney, Australia, as well as with app-based platform, Getaround, in San Francisco, California.
During her career, Ms. Tupas has contributed her expertise to several local and international companies, including Ritmo Learning Lab, Tangy Lab and Social Metric. In 2014, she co-founded SparkMyIdeas and TropicalSwells, where she continues to excel today. Additionally, she established School in a Backpack in 2015, an organization dedicated to experiential learning and character education for families who are implementing alternative learning systems such as homeschooling and world-schooling.
In 2017, Ms. Tupas moved to Arizona where she served as a special education teacher at Whiteriver Unified School District #20 for five years, alongside her role as a positive behavior interventions and supports district team member. She shares her love for life-long learning through various roles in the education field, including being a director at Kline Educational Services, a teaching consultant for Legacy Learning Community, and a social-emotional learning education specialist at Healing Roots School.
Ms. Tupas actively engages in educational initiatives, such as her membership in the Arizona Schools Health and Wellness Coalition, the Arizona Department of Education’s data review committee and Empowerment Scholarship Account parent action committee, and her involvement with the Arizona Adverse Childhood Experiences Consortium, Soul Care Journey, and Parent Led Academy. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in education management at Pacific Intercontinental College to further her expertise in the field.
In addition to her professional achievements, Ms. Tupas has demonstrated her talents as a writer. She has held positions as managing editor for Experience Travel & Living Magazine in Southeast Asia and as a writer for My Health Mags in Australia. She is a contributing author in the best-selling book, “Worldschoolers: Innovative Parents Turning Countries Into Classrooms,” in the first volume of the anthology “Stories of the World’s Greatest Speakers,” and in the book “Not All Who Wander Are Lost,” launching in August 2023. Her first children’s book, “C The Seed,” and her parenting book, “Courage 1st,” are set to be published in 2024 and 2025 respectively. Ms. Tupas intends to continue writing, particularly focusing on self-help books, and hopes to contribute to curriculum development that promotes healing, confidence and courage.
Ms. Tupas is an active member of her community, having volunteered with organizations like the Builder of Dreams Christian Community, Every Nation, theCHURCH and MrsEverAfter. Her passion for teaching was ignited during her volunteer work at a local church’s Sunday school during high school. She also co-directed for My Shelter Foundation in 2006 and 2010. Ms. Tupas currently contributes as a vice president for the International Women Artists in New York and a lieutenant for the Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary.
Over the years, Ms. Tupas has become a recipient of a number of awards, including the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award in 2023 and the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award in 2022. She was featured as one of the Marquis Who’s Who Top Educators in 2022 and has been included in the Who’s Who in America 2022 Diamond 75th Edition as a distinguished listee.
Born in Manila, Philippines, Ms. Tupas comes from an entrepreneurial background. She cherishes her marriage to Ronald and is a proud mother to her son, Samuel. Beyond her personal accomplishments, Ms. Tupas finds great fulfillment in guiding her students’ progress and witnessing their growth. She believes that courage, resilience, and embracing one’s identity are essential for success. As she looks to the future, she aspires to continue making a positive impact through her writing, speaking engagements, and dedication to empowering the next generation of leaders.