Willene Johnson facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Willene A. Johnson
Johnson at the Africa Center for Strategic Studies in 2017
Born	circa 1947
Institution	African Development Bank Federal Reserve Bank of New York
Alma mater	Columbia University (PhD) Radcliffe College (BA), 1968
Awards	2011 Clifton R. Wharton Jr. Award for “Outstanding Service, Leadership and Contribution to Economic Progress in Emerging Markets.”

Willene A. Johnson, born around 1947, is an American economist. She has held important roles, including being a vice president at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. She also served as the U.S. Executive Director for the African Development Bank. She was once the president of the National Economic Association.

In 2011, Cornell University honored her with the Clifton R. Wharton Jr. Award. This award recognized her "Outstanding Service, Leadership and Contribution to Economic Progress in Emerging Markets." This means she helped countries that are still developing their economies.

Willene Johnson's Early Life and Education

Willene Johnson finished her studies at Radcliffe College in 1968. There, she earned a degree in social studies. She also studied African History at St. John's University (New York City). Later, she earned her PhD in Development economics from Columbia University.

While at Radcliffe, she was part of a student group called AFRO. She became very interested in helping African countries develop. She even directed a student program called Volunteer Teachers for Africa.

Willene Johnson's Career Highlights

Johnson worked for the Federal Reserve system from 1982 to 1999. After that, she was chosen to be the U.S. Executive Director for the African Development Bank. She also served on the United Nations Committee for Development Policy. She led the Sub-Saharan Africa Advisory Committee for the United States Export-Import Bank.

Johnson has also worked as a consultant and taught at several universities. She supports the Women's Institute for Science, Equity and Race (WISER). She is also on the International Advisory Board for the Association For The Advancement of African Women Economists (AAAWE).

In 2018, Johnson shared her thoughts with The Harvard Crimson. She said that even at 70, many people who fought for social justice in the 1960s still feel the "struggle continues." She believes in continuing to work for change.

In 2020, Fortune magazine named her one of "19 Black economists to celebrate and know." The article mentioned that Johnson is the president of Komaza Inc. This company helps with economic and financial development. It also advises on topics like microfinance and managing money for security.

Important Speeches and Ideas

Willene Johnson gave the main speech at the first conference of the Sadie Collective in 2019. This group works to help more Black women enter economics. Johnson talked about the importance of using good data from communities. She also stressed developing new economic ideas. She referred to Sadie Tanner Mossell Alexander, the first Black woman to get a PhD in economics.

Johnson also spoke at the African Parliamentarians’ Forum in 2021. She discussed how to analyze and be responsible for security spending.

Honors and Awards

• In 2021, Johnson was chosen as a fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration (United States).
• In 2011, she received the Wharton Award from Cornell University.

Images for kids

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  Willene Johnson at the Africa Center for Strategic Studies in 2017