Joana Adesuwa Reiterer is a Nigerian-born Austrian entrepreneur and filmmaker whose journey into business and storytelling began at just 16 when she launched her first side venture in fashion and film while studying polymer technology in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. Her passion for creative arts led her into Nollywood as early as 1997, where she worked as an actor and all-rounder on production sets. After relocating to Vienna, Austria, Adesuwa founded EXIT, a civil society organization advocating for Nigerian women who were survivors of human trafficking. Through her work, she led and won the first-ever case in Austria where a Nigerian trafficking survivor was granted asylum, setting a legal precedent for future cases. In collaboration with Austrian journalists Corinna Milborn and Mary Kreutzer, she co-authored Ware Frau (Women as Commodities, 2008), a groundbreaking book that exposed European policies enabling human trafficking. Her bold activism made her a prominent figure, attracting media attention and earning her multiple nominations and awards.

Joana’s passion for storytelling extended to filmmaking, leading her to produce several short films, including Are We Aware, which featured a well-known Austrian personality to raise awareness about human trafficking. One of her films became a training tool for the UNODC and IOM, used in six European countries. She later organized the Nawa Film Festival in Nigeria, which brought together key Nollywood figures, including Uche Jombo. As an actress, she performed alongside Oscar-winner Emma Thompson, portraying "Selma" during a UN role-play at the Austrian Parliament and later in New York. Her work in advocacy earned her recognition by the Obama administration in 2009 as part of the Alumni of Young Political Leaders (European Minority).

In addition to filmmaking, Joana has authored multiple books, including her autobiography Die Wassergöttin (2008) and the documentary novel Hexen Kind (2011). She became the lead protagonist in the German documentary Joana und die Mächte der Finsternis, which aired on major European TV networks such as ARD, ZDF, and ORF. Over the years, she has collaborated with several international production companies on media reports, documentaries, and cross-continental film projects.

Committed to social impact, Joana founded Joadre Fashion, a project aimed at empowering young women in Nigeria. She successfully pitched the initiative on the Austrian television investment show 2 Minuten, 2 Millionen, securing backing from Austrian social impact investors. The project trained over 300 young men and women, providing them with opportunities to sell their products globally through the Joadre Fashion retail platform.

Since 2020, Joana has focused her energy on film and content production, launching JoadreTRIBE, an edutainment platform for African entrepreneurs. In 2024, the initiative evolved into Bold With Jo (BWJ), dedicated to creating African-centered narratives through films and conversations. Her work has earned her multiple awards, including the prestigious Human Rights Award from the Austrian League for Human Rights in 2009, making her the first recipient of the honor. Currently, Joana divides her time between Austria and Nigeria, balancing her work in media, advocacy, and entrepreneurship with family life.