About Joanna
Joanna Pool
Fractional Chief Science & Strategy Officer (CSO)
The Proper Group Executive
Joanna Pool, PhD, PMP, is a sustainability innovation strategist and science-to-market leader who helps organizations turn complex material science into trusted, market-ready products. With 15+ years across Fortune 500s and startups—including Philips, Hewlett-Packard, and a bioplastics venture—she has launched more than a dozen products, scaled global chemistry portfolios, and built decision frameworks that bring clarity to high-stakes product development.
A polymer scientist by training, Joanna blends technical depth with operational discipline. Her work spans bioplastics and renewable materials, consumer goods, medical devices, coatings, and polymer science. She has co-authored patents and led cross-functional teams through fast-turn launches, balancing performance, cost, compliance, and credible green claims.
Known as a “head problem-unblocker,” Joanna introduces decision-based planning, competitive analysis playbooks, and clear governance so teams move faster with confidence. She partners with leaders to translate science into strategy, aligns roadmaps with market needs, and builds products people can trust.
At The Proper Group, Joanna leads fractional CSO engagements, sustainable product strategy, and science-driven commercialization. She also contributes to the firm’s IP in green-claims substantiation, competitive intelligence frameworks, and decision-based operating systems that shorten the path from lab to launch.
Joanna is based in Seattle, WA, and serves clients nationally and globally. Outside of work, she champions sustainable materials innovation and mentors product teams bringing new technologies to market.
Comprehensive Offerings:
Sustainable Product & Materials Strategy
- Materials selection and sustainable material roadmaps (bioplastics, coatings, formulations)
- Credible green claims and substantiation frameworks
- Compliance, and trade-off analysis to balance sustainability with performance
Technical Product Development & Commercialization
- Stage-gate planning from concept → pilot → launch
- Formulation development, prototyping, validation testing, and scale-up support
- Go-to-market readiness: requirements, launch plans, and cross-functional orchestration
Competitive Intelligence & Market Positioning
- Repeatable competitive analysis frameworks and playbooks
- Benchmarking (features, performance, sustainability claims) to inform strategy
- Messaging guardrails that translate science into clear market value
Quality, Regulatory & Compliance
- Claims review, regulatory pathways, and certification planning (US/EU and beyond)
- Risk registers, control plans, and traceability for materials and suppliers
- Compliance checklists
Cross-Functional Leadership & Turnarounds
- Interim leadership for complex programs and product recoveries
- Decision-based planning workshops to unblock teams and accelerate decisions
- Portfolio rationalization and prioritization during periods of change
Market Expansion & Partnerships
- International portfolio expansion strategy for sustainable materials and green products
(e.g., EU market entry) - Partner and vendor evaluation for sustainable supply chains
- Consortiums and co-development models to de-risk innovation
Enablement & Operating Tools (Deliverables)
- Sustainable materials roadmap & claims matrix
- Competitive landscape report & decision briefs
- Stage-gate templates, RACI maps, and portfolio dashboards
📍 Based in Seattle, WA – working nationally and globally
🗓 Book a complimentary consultation
📧 jpool@theproper.group