She began her career in state government in the Senate Research Office where she served as director for five years. She worked under Governor Sonny Perdue’s administration as a Policy Analyst and Deputy Chief Operating Officer. Joy served as Education Director for the Metro Atlanta Chamber, Director of Grants and Scholarships for Georgia Student Finance Commission (GSFC).  She also began the REACH GA Foundation at GSFC where she guided the board’s fundraising efforts to support the program.  After leaving GSFC, she led a literacy movement, serving as director of Literacy For All.

In 2019, Governor Brian Kemp appointed Joy as Executive Director of Governor’s Office of Student Achievement, a PreK-20 and workforce agency. As part of her current responsibilities, she serves as co-chair of the Georgia Children's Cabinet and the Georgia Literacy Coordinating Council. 

She is a native of Georgia and has two grown children. Joy resides in Sandy Springs with her other children, two dogs, Scarlet and Riley.