After nearly three decades of leading the external relations efforts of Midwest University, Karen Johnson witnessed the courage of front-line healthcare professionals who were serving their communities during the global pandemic. She decided it was time for her to step up in her professional journey. She left her comfortable university position and sought a chief executive officer role in the nonprofit sector of Phoenix at New Pathways for Youth.
“I left a 27-year career in higher education to pursue a passion for serving others in the nonprofit sector,” said Johnson. “It was the biggest risk I have ever taken, and it has provided the best rewards of my life.”
New Pathways for Youth is a nonprofit organization with a mission to transform the lives of youth by providing the support, stability and skills they need to flourish in the community and in their families.
Since joining the organization, Johnson has been challenged to grow the program to serve more youth, expand workforce opportunities, and develop new partnerships. New Pathways for Youth now serves more than 500 youth in central Phoenix and Maryvale. Under Johnson’s guidance, the youth program has been named Level Up, creating a brand identity that resonates with the teens in the program while reflecting the goals of leveling up opportunities, relationships, communication skills and personal development.
The organization has also developed the Level Up Academy, which brings an exclusive curriculum into the classroom through a school-based program. New workforce opportunities in the aviation, animal welfare, and hospitality industries are being explored and New Pathways for Youth has created strong collaborative partnerships with other youth-serving nonprofits, raising the profile of the mission in the community.
“There is nothing much better in life than being able to help a kid,” said Johnson.
In her first two years as chief executive officer, Johnson has led the organization to exceed its budget goals, achieve clean audits, grow the reputation of the nonprofit in the community, and expand the number of youths served. As a result, New Pathways for Youth has been nominated for the Greater Phoenix Chamber’s impact award and recognized as the AZ Big Media’s Champions for Change nonprofit organization of the year. Johnson has been nominated for the ATHENA awards and nonprofit organization leader of the year.
As a leader, Johnson said it’s essential to have excellent listening skills and a deep well of personal empathy. “In today’s evolving workplace environment, leaders need to take the time to care for their team and to build a culture that is valued and trusted,” she said.
