Pamela Johnson

President: Dr. Pamela Johnson 

Dr. Pamela R. Johnson is a distinguished leader in global health, digital innovation, and cultural preservation, currently serving as President of the National Women’s Foundation. Since assuming this role in 2019, she has spearheaded the expansion of the Foundation’s humanities and preservation programs, building on a rich legacy of public service and international development. Dr. Johnson previously held senior positions at USAID, where she coordinated global child survival programs and served as a social science advisor. Her expertise in government reform and global health led her to roles such as Executive Director of the United Nations Efficiency Board and Deputy Director of the Reinventing Government Initiative. She was also a co-founder and Chief Health Officer of Voxiva, pioneering digital health strategies in Rwanda and beyond.

In addition to her extensive professional accomplishments, Dr. Johnson has been a dedicated contributor to numerous boards and nonprofit initiatives, including The Commons Project, Child Health Foundation, FreshFarm Market, and the National Arts Club. An anthropologist by training, she holds a PhD from the University of California, Berkeley, and a BA from Vassar College. Her early career included assisting the renowned Dr. Margaret Mead and contributing to the Hall of Pacific Peoples at the American Museum of Natural History. A published writer and photographer featured in National Geographic and Drum, Dr. Johnson also holds a U.S. patent and has overseen preservation efforts for historic properties in Washington, DC, New York, California, and France.