Editor’s note: Twenty under 40! is a collaborative effort between the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce’s ystark! and the Canton Repository. It recognizes young professionals in Stark County. This year’s honorees are being featured weekdays leading up to the awards celebration, which will be June 25 at the Cultural Center for the Arts in Canton.
Joanna Hallisy is passionate about science, technology, engineering and math, especially when it comes to preparing the next generation for a career.
She partners on STEM initiatives through organizations such as the Girl Scouts and the Great Lakes Science Center and supports events like STEM Day at the Cleveland Guardians.
Hallisy, 30, a senior application engineer at the Timken Co. in Jackson Township, spent six years on Timken’s Engineer for a Day planning team, helping to host more than 80 local high school students each year for hands-on exposure to engineering careers.
“My name, photo, and title are featured in the Cleveland Creates Gallery at the Great Lakes Science Center, highlighting my work as an engineer,” she said. “I hope that girls who see it can envision themselves pursuing a career in engineering.”
Hallisy, who lives in Plain Township, supports the rail market at Timken with a focus on freight and has prior experience in locomotive and passenger applications. She also serves as team lead for the application engineering co-op program at the corporate headquarters.
She graduated from Lake Catholic in Mentor and received her bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering at the University of Buffalo, where she was a Division I athlete competing on the track and field team in shot put and discus.
“At this point in my career, I see multiple paths for growth and am intentionally exploring where I can make the greatest impact,” Hallisy said. “One path includes moving into people leadership, where I can guide and develop others. Another is continuing to deepen my expertise in the rail market and growing as a technical leader in my field.
“Beyond my day-to-day role, I am committed to supporting the next generation of STEM talent by continuing to engage with and educate students about careers in engineering. On a personal level, one of my near-term goals is purchasing a home, which I’m excited to achieve as my next milestone.”
Who nominated Joanna Hallisy for the Twenty under 40! honor?
Shanna Ebert, community relations manager at Timken, nominated Hallisy for the Twenty under 40! honor.
“Joanna distinguishes herself through an exceptional combination of professional excellence, community leadership, and genuine commitment to people,” Ebert wrote in her nomination.
“While she is a high‑performing engineer who consistently delivers quality work, meets deadlines, and earns strong customer feedback, it is her service‑oriented leadership and community impact that truly set her apart.”
Here are some of Joanna Hallisy’s professional achievements
Here are some of Hallisy’s professional achievements:
The Canton Repository posed several questions to Hallisy about living and working in Stark County. Here are her answers:
What advice would you give the younger generation when it comes to advancing in their careers or strengthening Stark County?
The best advice I was given is, “You can do anything, but you can’t do everything.” It’s a simple reminder that while opportunities are endless, time and energy are not.
It took me a while to fully appreciate, but it’s been invaluable in helping me prioritize. Like everyone, I only have so many hours in a day, so I’ve learned the importance of being intentional and taking ownership of how I spend them.
List three to five things people might not know about you.
Why do you think Stark County is a great place to live and work?
Stark County is a great place to work and live because of the people that make up its population. Being involved at Timken, I feel like I have ample opportunities to serve my community. I have served at the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank, EN-RICH-MENT, Gibbs Elementary, Refuge of Hope, Habitat for Humanity and more. The way that people are showing up for each other in Stark County is notable and inspiring.
What are your top three favorite things to do in Stark County when not working?
As an avid reader, I love going to the North Canton library to check out new books. Also, having the Goodwill bookstore 10 minutes from me is dangerous and I have spent a lot of time wandering the shelves and picking up more than a few gems to add to my personal library.
Being an active individual, I love to play pickleball and frequent the many different court locations throughout Stark County.
Whenever I need a pick me up or am celebrating, I go to El Rincon and get the fajita nachos with a side of rice and queso. For me, you can’t beat the comfort of Mexican cuisine.
What’s your favorite sports team and why? (Could be high school, college or pro)
I prefer to play sports over watching them, but having grown up in the suburbs of Cleveland, I am a loyal fan to the Cavaliers, Guardians, and Browns. I remember my dad having any of those games on growing up so it just feels like home to cheer for them.
However, a team I really go wild for is Team USA for the Olympic and Paralympic games. I am a huge fan of the Olympics and can’t wait for Los Angeles to host the 2028 Summer Games.
Describe your perfect evening.
My perfect evening is eating dinner with friends or family, talking over a good meal.
Name a personal hero and explain why you chose them.
My sister, Sarah, is my hero. From cooking me dinner, to her job as a pharmacist, being the best gift-giver, or doing the bakery for her friend’s wedding, she consistently shows up for me and others with a welcoming heart and usually a sweet treat.
Her thoughtfulness is truly a gift and something I try to model. She has helped me to see the different ways you can love others. She is who I go to for both comfort and advice as well as lots of laughter. I am never afraid of being alone because she will always be in my corner.
What’s a food or drink that you couldn’t live without. Explain why.
I became gluten-free a few years back, so I feel like I have adapted to living without a lot of foods. In addition to Mexican food, I get cravings for gluten-free chocolate chip pancakes. I tend to make a quick batch at night and have the leftovers for breakfast.
You can listen to only one musical artist for the rest of your life. Who is it and why?
This is a seemingly impossible question for me. I have so many artists and genres I listen to and love. My most listened to is always changing, but if I had to choose one it would probably be Linkin Park. They were one band my whole family could agree on listening to growing up and I have always loved their sound and style.
If you could plan your ultimate vacation — money isn’t a concern — where would you go?
Japan — hands down. Another random thing about me is I have a deep curiosity around Asian culture, specifically Japanese culture. It started with my love for animation and has grown from there.
What’s a small thing that instantly makes your day better?
It might sound corny but observing nature. A beautiful sky, the sound of leaves on a tree, the smell of sweetgrass, they all end with a smile on my face.
What’s a movie or TV show you can rewatch over and over?
Another difficult question. My comfort movie changes depending on where I am emotionally, but the “Iron Giant” is always a go to. I have a matching tattoo with my sister of the screw because we love that movie so much.
What’s one hobby or interest people might not expect from you?
I have always been competitive and have played a lot of sports. In college, I started lifting heavier for throwing on the track and field team. Since then, I have kept up with lifting and have maintained a strong body.
What’s a tradition (big or small) you look forward to every year?
Recently, some of my family members and I have been making a trip back to our tribe’s reservation in upper Wisconsin for Powwow. It has been healing to spend the time together seeing family and taking part in the celebration.
What’s your favorite way to recharge?
I keep a busy schedule so when I find time to read my book for a couple hours on my couch with my cat, that’s time well spent to recharge.
What’s a book you’ve read that stuck with you?
I am mainly a fiction reader and a book I just re-read and love is called “Blood Over Bright Haven.” It is classified as dark academia, but I think it covers a lot of interesting social, political, and emotional tensions that can be found even in our own world. It’s a 5-star read for me.
What’s something on your bucket list you haven’t done yet?
A bucket list item I have not yet done is seeing the sequoias and redwoods. I really love trees and want to see those old giants. Plus, it would get me closer to visiting all 50 states before I turn 50! Only 16 to go.
Rick Armon is managing editor of the Canton Repository and Massillon Independent. He can be reached at 330-580-8310 or rarmon@cantonrep.com.
This article originally appeared on The Repository: Meet Twenty under 40! honoree Joanna Hallisy: ‘Importance of being intentional’
Reporting by Rick Armon, Canton Repository / The Repository
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