Joanne—aka The Gotham Gal—is a tough woman to keep up with. She’s tireless in her pursuit of business and pleasure, and I can personally vouch for the fact that she’s the very best person for any female entrepreneur to have in her corner. One of the most active NYC angel investors, her diverse portfolio of companies reflects her passions: she’s quite literally someone who puts her money where her mouth is, investing in an astonishing array of food-related businesses online and off. Her appetite for real estate, architecture, and good living is similarly voracious, and she somehow manages to do it all with style and savvy. (Technical and financial, thankyouverymuch!)
Joanne’s also a do-gooder, serving on the board of Friends of the High Line—who are our friends, too, of course!—and the innovative and empowering Hot Bread Kitchen. See? I wasn’t lying when I said she was tough to keep up with! It’s an impressive list to be sure, but what I admire most about Joanne is how she manages to do all this while still being an awesome mom, a supportive wife, and a really great friend. - Jen
5 Perfect Picks
1) alleverythingthatisyou sno7,1_016, by Mike + Doug Starn
I love all of the snowflakes the Starn brothers made. They are so beautiful and different.
2) Apres Grande 12, by Christian Chaize
Who doesn't love the beach? This just screams summer.
3) Brooklyn Bridge, Water and Dock Streets, looking southwest, Brooklyn, by Berenice Abbott
My love for NYC is deep. I collect books on old and new NY so this fits in perfectly.
4) Eiffel Tower, Exposition Universelle, 1900,, a Vintage Edition
We travel to Paris at least once a year. This city takes second place only to NYC.
5) Floral and Insects, by Laura Bell
Fresh flowers change a room. Beautiful, calming, serene.
5 Q's + 5 A's
1) What's your favorite museum?
The Pompidou in Paris is one of my favorite museums in the world. In NYC I am a huge fan of the Whitney. And I have to mention the High Line, as that is the perfect mix of city, park, and lots of culture.
2) You've got $5M to spend on one piece of art. What would it be?
I'd love a Gerhard Richter but I think they are more than $5m!
3) Do you prefer a single statement piece or a salon wall?
These days I tend to go for single statement pieces. There's something about one piece dominating a small apartment wall that I find appealing.
4) Favorite color?
Black...is that a color?
5) If you could be reincarnated as another artist, who would you want to be?
Being able to create art that triggers emotions in other people would be amazing. Having an incredible singing voice would be wonderful too. Unfortunately I don't have either ability but I do dream about it.
The 411 on Joanne Wilson
Joanne Wilson has been an active angel investor since 2007, investing in over 65 businesses that spread the gamut. She has been blogging since 2003 under the name Gotham Gal. Joanne is also the co-chair of the Women's Entrepreneur Festival launching their first festival in partnership with NYU in 2011. She also chairs Hot Bread Kitchen, sits on the board of the High Line and Wesleyan University.
Personal Site: Gotham Gal Twitter: @thegothamgal Instagram: @thegothamgal
