Alexis McGill Johnson Biography

Alexis McGill Johnson is the president and CEO of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) and the Planned Parenthood Action Fund, a role she has held since June 2020 after serving as acting president starting in July 2019. Hailing from New York City, she was raised by parents who instilled a strong sense of Black cultural pride. Johnson earned a B.A. in politics from Princeton University in 1993, focusing on Latin-American social movements, and an M.A. in political science from Yale University. She taught political science and African-American studies at Yale and Wesleyan universities.

A prominent advocate for social and racial justice, Johnson co-founded the Perception Institute in 2009, a research group focused on reducing bias and discrimination, where she served as executive director until taking leave for her Planned Parenthood role. She contributed to Starbucks’ 2018 racial bias training curriculum and co-authored studies like “The ‘Good Hair’ Study” on attitudes toward Black women’s hair. She was also the political director for Russell Simmons’ Hip-Hop Summit Action Network and executive director of Citizen Change, launching the “Vote or Die!” campaign in 2004 to boost youth voter engagement.

Johnson has served on boards including the New York Civil Liberties Union, Center for Social Inclusion, and Citizen Engagement Lab. She is married to Robert Johnson, the president of the Institute for New Economic Thinking. She lives in New York City and is recognized for her work in reproductive rights, racial justice, and equity, earning accolades from Politico, STAT, and CNN As Equals. 

As a renowned expert and highly sought-after speaker, Alexis McGill Johnson's expertise is in high demand. To book Alexis McGill Johnson for your next event, conference, or workshop, please contact our speaker booking agency. Our experienced team will work closely with you to understand your specific needs and help secure Alexis McGill Johnson's participation. With our professional guidance and seamless booking process, you can ensure a memorable and impactful experience for your audience. Don't miss the opportunity to engage your audience with Alexis McGill Johnson's compelling insights and inspire positive change within your organization. Fill out the booking request form to take the first step in securing Alexis McGill Johnson for your next speaking engagement.