Joelle Friend is a 14-year veteran of the Charlotte Fire Department currently serving as the Engineer for Engine 8 in the Plaza-Midwood neighborhood. Born in Decatur, Georgia, and after a childhood spent moving up the East coast, she now calls Concord, North Carolina home. She attended Wingate University where she studied Sports Medicine and competed on the Lady Bulldog tennis team. When she's not at the firehouse, she can be found training for her next obstacle course race or working on her latest restoration project. A chance encounter in 2011 led to her learning about Share Our Strength and No Kid Hungry. She has been an ardent supporter ever since. She believes everyone has a strength to share!