Alexis McGill Johnson (born August 5, 1972) is an American businesswoman and social justice advocate. She currently serves as the president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PFFA) as well as president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Action Fund.

Early life and education

McGill Johnson was born in Morristown, New Jersey and raised by her mother and father. Her mother worked her way up from a secretary to an executive-level position at AT&T. McGill Johnson's childhood was strongly influenced by her parents' Black Nationalism and their pride in Black culture.

In 1993, she graduated from Princeton University with a bachelor's degree in political science and a focus in Latin-American social movements. She went on to receive a Master of Arts from Yale University in 1995. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Career

Johnson speaks at a rally against abortion restrictions in North Carolina, 2023

McGill Johnson taught political science and African-American studies at both Yale and Wesleyan University. She served as political director for Russell Simmons' the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network and was the executive director of Citizen Change during the 2004 election season, launching their "Vote or Die!" campaign.

In 2009, she co-founded and co-directed the Perception Institute (formerly the American Values Institute), a research organization focused on bias, discrimination, and identity. She served as the organization's executive director and worked on research and public education initiatives examining implicit bias and structural integrity

During her tenure, McGill Johnson worked with corporations, media organizations, and advocacy groups to develop bias-reduction strategies based on behavioral research. In 2018, she co-created the curriculum used for racial bias training at Starbucks following a widely reported incident at one of its Philadelphia stores that prompted a nationwide company training program.

She also contributed to published research on racial perception and bias, including the Good Hair Study, which examined attitudes and implicit biases regarding Black women's hair in professional and social settings. The study explored how hair texture and style can influence perceptions of professionalism, competence, and beauty, and contributed to broader public discussions about workplace discrimination and cultural bias.

On July 16, 2019, McGill Johnson was announced as Planned Parenthood's acting president after the termination of Leana Wen. McGill Johnson was previously a board member and was the board's chair from 2013 to 2015. At that time, the Perception Institute listed her as being "on leave." On June 26, 2020, she was elevated to permanent president and CEO of Planned Parenthood.

McGill Johnson has also served on the boards of the New York Civil Liberties Union, the Center for Social Inclusion, and Citizen Engagement Lab.

Awards and honors

  • In 2023, McGill Johnson appeared in Politico's Playbook Power List for her work in wake of the repeal of Roe v. Wade
  • In 2023, McGill Johnson was selected for STAT's Status List for her work in helping patients
  • In 2024, McGill Johnson was recognized by CNN As Equals for her work as a social justice leader

Personal life

She lives in New York City. She is married to Robert Johnson, who is the president of the Institute for New Economic Thinking. They have two daughters.

External links