Deborah
Johnson (DJ) was born and reared in Cleveland, Ohio, has a BA in French from The Ohio State University and a masters
degree in Human Services Management from Brandeis University.
After 20 years as a human resources professional
with the Department of Defense, DJ left to follow her dream. She is passionate about the future of young
people, and has been instrumental in motivating many student athletes and their parents achieve their dream of playing college
sports and beyond.
She is the co-founder of The Football Parents Association at The Ohio State Univerisity.
She is the only female in school history to address the football team as a chapel speaker.
Deborah
is President of Goal Minded, LLC an organization that provides education to sports parents and schools, athletic
associations and corporations on formulating winning game plans for success.
She is an ordained minister
and an adjunct professor at The Ohio State University, Franklin University and Columbus State Community College.
DJ is married, and the mother of three sons.
Deborah is the recipient
of numerous awards including:
Monster.com DLP Most Inspirational Speaker Award
Alpha
Phi Alpha Jewel Award- Educator of the Year
The Defense Federal Community Woman of the Year
Who's Who in Black Columbus
The National Public Employees Roundtable
Award for Community Service presented by Vice President Gore.
Community
and Philanthropic Affiliations:
Executive Director, The
Jay Richardson Foundation
Co-Founder and
Past President of the Ohio State Football Parents Association.
The workshop chair for the Columbus Public Schools Dreamakers
Past
Chair of the Village to Child mentoring program.
Past Vice President of Blacks in Government-Andrews
AFB
Past President of the American Society of Military Comptrollers-Columbus Chapter.
Memberships with The National Coalition of 100 Black Women
Leadership Columbus
Executive Board member of the Central Ohio Breathing Association
The Ohio State University Parent Advisory Board
The American
Society of Military Comptrollers
