Full name: Angela Johnson
Current title & company: Senior Director of Philanthropy at Year Up United
Brief description of who you are professional with concise accomplishments:
I am a graduate of Wellesley College with a 33-year career as a volunteer and professional in the philanthropic, education and nonprofit sectors. Over the course of my career, I have mentored 30+ youth and young professionals while successfully helping to raise millions of dollars from individual, public and private sector donors for Harvard University, Mount Holyoke College, United Way of MA Bay, Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology, Wentworth Institute of Technology, several community-based nonprofits, as well as several arts and education organizations. My wit, quick-thinking and relationship-building skills have enabled my efforts to raise support for addressing the disparities for youth in education, communities of color and women. I am an avid volunteer. I serve as Chair of the Board of Old North Illuminated and as Board Member, Secretary and former founding Chair of the Development Committee for Minds Matter Boston. Past board experience includes Association of Fundraising Professional (AFP), The Lenny Zakim Fund and Sisters in Development in MA as well as a four-year term on the Advisory Committee for the MA State Treasurer, Steve Grossman.
My favorite quote illustrates my commitment to cultivating community giving and taking action: “Education, like freedom, has never been free. When we picked up peaches, someone else shook the tree. I was a picker, now may I a shaker be. As I have gained, let someone else now gain from me.”
Why did you join TWT, and what are you hoping to achieve?
I joined TWT after attending their annual event as the guest of Anna Yu, a member of their board. I loved being in the room with so many professional women focused on supporting each other’s success in life – professional and personal. What I hope to achieve is further enhancement and new members for my community of mentors, mentees, advocates, advisors and friends.
One of my most proud professional moments and what are you most looking forward to professionally the next five years:
My most proud professional moments are hard to narrow to just one and are divided into two connected but separate areas – mentoring and relationships. Mentoring – I can honestly say that I would not be where I am in my career if I had not had many mentors, advocates and advisors who invest(ed) time in me as I move through my career. I promised to pay it forward and work hard to do that. I am extremely proud of the various young professionals that have worked with me or sought advice, whom I have shared insights with or helped to train in some way as they rise in their careers. It is very rewarding to have hired someone as a staff assistant or a junior member of my team and see them now serving as Associate Director, Director or AVP in my field of Advancement. Relationships – I am also proud of the various relationships that I have built and continue to build. Whether they were a colleague, mentor or donor, some of my proudest moments are those connections and how they carry through my life. I have been able to help donors fulfill their mission by offering them chances to support great organizations that they may not have otherwise considered. I have learned a great deal from colleagues and mentors, some of whom I have known for over 20 years. They make me better and hopefully have gained something from me. Over the next five years, I am looking forward to continued growth in my role at Year Up United, success in my volunteer leadership roles and adding more connections to my pool of relationships.
What do you do in my “free” time?
In my free time, I volunteer with area non-profits (currently serving on two nonprofit boards one of which I chair), I love to read when I have time and I love the arts, so I like to catch various shows in Boston and NYC. I hold seasons tickets for the Boston Ballet, attend concerts with the Boston Children’s Chorus and absolutely love to catch a good comedy show like Leslie Jones or Kevin Hart. I believe that laughter is healing so laugh every day and you will be a better you.
3 core values:
To focus on how I am presented and not how I am perceived. To remember to give to others as I have received. To laugh and learn and love always because, when I cease to do those three things, my time on earth is coming to an end.
Fun fact: When I was in college, I sang in an all-female acapella group, the Wellesley College Tupelos, performing on college campuses and other events throughout New England. While in the group, we took a trip to England and recorded two albums!