Deborah Johnson (DJ) was born and reared in Cleveland, Ohio, and 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.  Ms. Johnson is married, and the mother of three sons.




Deborah is the recipient of numerous awards including:

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.

Co-Founder and Immediate 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. 

Community and philanthropic affiliations include:

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