Nonprofits and Education
President and CEO
Boys & Girls Clubs of Dane County | Madison
Michael Johnson leads Boys & Girls Clubs of Dane County, an organization that serves more than 7,500 young people at 10 locations. During his 12 years at the helm, the organization has emphasized public-private partnerships and recently raised nearly $40 million to create a regional workforce center that will introduce young people to the trades.
Education: Bachelor’s, Chicago State University; MBA, University of Phoenix
One book everyone should read: “‘Action Has No Season’” by Michael Roberts. He is a self-made billionaire from St. Louis, a personal mentor of mine, and the book focuses on taking action no matter the season or circumstances.”
Business leaders you would like to have dinner with: “Jay Z and Jeff Bezos, and (I’d) ask them for transformational major gifts.”
Toughest business challenge you’ve ever faced: “Laying off 700 people when I was (deputy director of Philadelphia’s department of) Parks & Recreation and coming up with my first fundraising campaign to raise millions to keep people employed and the Parks & Recreation Center open in Philadelphia.”
Top of your bucket list: “To organize a stadium concert with 60,000-plus people that would raise millions for local kids.”