We are thrilled to announce that Joan Gartner, Co-Founder & COO of Hudson Valley Swim, has been officially recognized in Franchise Dictionary Magazine’s prestigious 50 Women of Wonder (WoW) 2026 issue!
Published annually on October 1st, the 50 Women of Wonder list honors female leaders who are making a lasting impact in the franchise industry through exceptional leadership, dedication, and innovation.
Empowering Owners & Building Strong Communities
Joan’s hands-on approach and dedication to franchisee growth have always been at the heart of Hudson Valley Swim. As Franchise Dictionary Magazine highlighted in her profile:
“What sets Joan Gartner apart isn’t just that she co-founded a franchise. It’s how deeply she stays invested in every owner’s success. From hands-on training to ongoing operational support, she treats each franchisee’s growth as her own, empowering owners to lead with confidence rather than simply selling a business model. Her leadership proves a values-driven business rooted in family safety and community can be ambitious, scalable and disruptive, inspiring the next generation of entrepreneurs.”
Shattering Glass Ceilings in Franchising
Speaking on this year’s honorees, Alesia Visconti, CEO of FranServe & Franchise Dictionary Magazine, shared:
“Highlighting our ‘50 Women of Wonder’ (WOW) is an annual tradition, and we are truly proud to honor the contributions of these incredible women. We love seeing more women in the franchise space and creating what Alesia has written about, a Pink Tsunami! Our FranTastic WoW winners are women at the very top! They don’t merely break the glass ceiling, they shatter it! Congrats to these powerful leaders who guide their organizations to wild success and to all women in franchising!”
Adding to the impact of this recognition, proceeds from this special issue of Franchise Dictionary Magazine are being donated to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.
Read the Full October 2026 Issue
You can explore the full digital edition of the 2026 Women in Franchising special issue online at Franchise Dictionary Magazine or visit readfdm.com to learn more.
Congratulations to Joan on this well-deserved achievement!
