Joan Seppala was inducted into the Business & Professions Category in 2026.
Joan Seppala is the founder of The Independent, established in 1963 to champion Tri-Valley open space, social equity, and the arts and sciences. After being turned away by multiple newspapers that did not hire women reporters, she created her own path-launching the publication at age 24 with the support of local investors. From its inception, Joan committed to prioritizing what was right for the community, even when it meant risking advertising revenue. Despite periodic boycotts, The Independent has remained steadfast in its community-first mission. Joan is a co-founder of the Livermore Cultural Arts Council and the Bankhead Theater and played a key role in advocating for the Alameda County/Livermore Urban Growth Boundary. Her many honors include recognition as a Las Positas College Friend, County District 1 Arts Champion, YMCA MLK Jr. Legacy Award recipient, Rotary Grand Marshal, and Lions Citizen of the Year.
