Outskirts Press, INC.

Joy E. Mason is a recent retiree who grew up in a family that read insatiably, traveled extensively, and contributed passionately to the community. These experiences and the influence of her family contributed significantly to her Purpose Journey and her writing. Joy graduated from Miami University with a bachelor’s degree in microbiology and from Butler University with a master’s degree in pharmaceutical sciences. From 1988 to 2017, she worked her way up from associate to a global quality consultant, supporting an Indianapolis-based company’s international laboratories. As one of the few African-American women in a professional role supporting manufacturing, she successfully navigated corporate systems to eventually be recognized for her project leadership. The sometimes difficult navigation of a corporate environment contributed to exposing what felt like a paradox between wanting to be professionally successful and wanting spiritual fulfillment. This paradox, her faith, and her unquenchable reading contributed to her Purpose Journey. Joy successfully executed an aggressive plan to retire at the age of fifty. She is now an entrepreneur leveraging her black belt six sigma certification and her strong belief that every process can be improved, and every problem can be solved. Joy uses her extra time to travel with her family, volunteer, read, exercise, and tend her garden.