Joy Mason

Joy E. Mason is a business owner, author, and motivational speaker. She is a Certified Six Sigma Black Belt Strategist who retired from Eli Lilly in 2017. During her 30 years at Lilly, Joy worked in Technical Services, Quality Control Management, Human Resources, and Quality Assurance. Before retiring, Joy successfully managed continuous improvement and global change initiatives for Lilly’s products across eight countries. She was also a leader of two different microbiological testing laboratories during her career. Joy earned a Bachelor’s in microbiology from Miami of Ohio University, Master’s in Pharmaceutics from Butler University, and Six Sigma Black Belt certification from Purdue University. Joy also co-founded, with Indiana University Purdue University Office of Community Engagement, the Indianapolis Coalition for Community School Partnerships which advocates for a systematic approach to wrap-around services for school-aged youth. After retiring from Lilly, Joy established Optimist Business Solutions, a training and consulting firm that helps organizations maximize their operational efficiency and optimize results. She also takes small business leaders from ideas to tactics and from problems to solutions. Joy has a strong track record of helping clients develop the infrastructure for success. She has worked with some of the largest non-profit entities in the state, such as Ivy Tech College, Lilly Endowment, and Central Indiana Community Foundation. Joy has literally written the book on problem solving and sustainable solutions: 5 Steps to Sustainable Solutions for Women in Business (2019). Joy spends her extra time mentoring young women who are navigating life and career. Joy published Purpose A Shift from Driving It to Embracing It (2018), which describes her deeply personal journey of re-finding her life’s purpose and getting her joy back. Based on her book, Joy will launch two separate leadership programs, Purpose and Power, which will apply an authentically inspiring and evidence-based approach to success, next month. Joy has been recognized with the Center for Leadership Development Distinguished Alumni Award and the United Way of Central Indiana Diversity Volunteer of the Year Award. She’s also a member of Butler University Alumni Board, the Miami University College of Arts and Sciences Advisory Board and the American Society of Quality Indianapolis Chapter Executive Committee. Joy and her husband, Tony, are members of Eastern Star Church, and they enjoy time with their two sons and traveling.