Executive Staff

Michael Johnson is an executive non-profit leader who has dedicated the last fourteen years of his career to serving as the President & CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Dane County. During this time, he significantly contributed to the organization by transforming it from a local children’s charity into a powerful change agent for children and families.

One of Michael’s most significant achievements was driving high standards of excellence in financial transparency, community engagement, and governance. He developed several strategic plans that resulted in more than 22,000 donors contributing more than $50 million to the organization. He also increased the club’s net assets from $4 million to $26 million, quadrupled the number of children and families being served, quadrupled the number of employees, expanded its operations in cities like Fitchburg, Madison, Verona, Sun Prairie, and acquired the Boys & Girls Clubs of Walworth County.

Michael’s leadership also led to the creation of the largest public/private partnership in the Madison School District and invested more than $21.6 million in direct resources to local high schools. As a result, more than 4,900 young people graduated from high school at an average rate of 97%. Furthermore, he hired more than a dozen career and college specialists who work with colleges and universities across the country.

In addition to these accomplishments, Michael recently led a capital campaign to raise $35 million for a regional workforce center, which is currently the largest standalone, endowed campaign for such a center in the history of Boys & Girls Clubs of America. Through his leadership, Michael has become a well-known figure in the community, with his views, advocacy, and work being viewed more than 3 million times on local television and regional and national outlets, including the New York Times, Wisconsin State Journal, CNN, NBC, ABC, and CBS.

Michael’s dedication and hard work have not gone unnoticed. He received the Boys & Girls Clubs of America Heart & Soul Award, the highest honor among Club executives. He was named “Man of the Year” by Madison 365, appointed by the Governor of Wisconsin to the Vel Phillip’s Taskforce, named the 2022 InBusiness Magazine -Executive of the Year, awarded the 2022 MLK Humanitarian Award, named the 2022 Top Executive Fundraiser from the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), and named Hometown Hero by the Wisconsin State Legislature.

Michael’s credentials include a BA in Business Education from Chicago State University and an MBA from the University of Phoenix. He also holds a certification in fundraising management from the Center of Philanthropy at Indiana University, a certification in human resource management from Cornell University, an Advanced Leadership Certificate from the University of Michigan, Ross School of Business, and a certificate in non-profit strategic management from Harvard Business School. Michael and his wife, Toya, were born and raised in Chicago and have three children ages 19, 13, and 9.