Joanna Xu
About Joanna Xu
Joanna Xu serves as the Head of Finance & Strategy at brightwheel, a position she has held since 2024. With a diverse background in finance and strategy across various organizations, including Square and Handshake, she has developed a strong foundation in financial operations and strategic planning.
Current Role at Brightwheel
Joanna Xu serves as the Head of Finance & Strategy at Brightwheel, a position she has held since 2024. In this role, she is responsible for overseeing financial operations and strategic planning within the organization. Her leadership contributes to the financial health and growth strategies of Brightwheel, a company focused on early childhood education solutions.
Previous Experience at Handshake
Prior to her current role, Joanna Xu worked at Handshake as the Biz Ops & Finance Lead from 2019 to 2020. During her tenure, she played a key role in operational and financial initiatives, contributing to the company's objectives in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Experience at Square
Joanna Xu held multiple positions at Square, where she worked from 2015 to 2019. Initially, she was involved in Finance and Strategy for two years, followed by a role in Product Marketing for another two years. Her work at Square focused on financial analysis and marketing strategies, enhancing the company's offerings in the payments industry.
Educational Background at Wellesley College
Joanna Xu studied at Wellesley College, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. Her academic focus included Mathematics and Economics. During her time at Wellesley, she also served as the President of the Investment Society from 2010 to 2012, demonstrating her leadership and interest in finance.
Early Career at Bank of America Merrill Lynch
Joanna Xu began her career as a Summer Analyst in Technology Investment Banking at Bank of America Merrill Lynch in 2012. This two-month position in Palo Alto, CA, provided her with foundational experience in financial analysis and investment banking.