Joan Sullivan Garrett on entrepreneurship and enhancing the safety and well-being of individuals traveling far from home.

AVIATE with Shaesta

Born with an innate curiosity and a passion for making a difference, Joan Sullivan Garrett embarked on her professional journey with a clear mission: to enhance the safety and well-being of individuals traveling far from home. As a 1979 graduate of the Mesa Community College nursing program, and her extensive background in healthcare and a deep understanding of the challenges faced by travelers, Joan recognized the need for specialized medical assistance and support in remote locations.

In 1985, Joan established MedAire, a groundbreaking organization that provides comprehensive medical and travel safety services. Under her visionary guidance, MedAire quickly became a trailblazer in the field, setting new standards for medical support, emergency response, and crisis management in the aviation and maritime industries. Joan has been featured on TIME, USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, and BBC, among other notable networks, for her extraordinary work and contribution to the medical field.

In our conversation, Joan talks about her childhood and the inspiration that launched MedAire. She also shares her entrepreneurship journey and the lessons learned in pursuit of turning her passion for saving people into a global business. Garrett also shares how she managed motherhood, her well-being, and her motivation to keep building her business and impacting the lives of millions of people.