Angel M. Johnson, PhD, has been honored by Marquis Who’s Who for her pioneering approach to human resources and organizational effectiveness. Having served near the top of some of the world’s most influential companies, she has established herself as an expert in organizational psychology, with a mission and a vision to elevate workplace culture.
First Steps
Throughout her nearly three decades in the field, Dr. Johnson has frequently encountered professionals seeking guidance on how she navigated her career trajectory. The most common question centers on her journey: “What got you here? How did you go on this path? How did you know this was the path for you?”
Long driven to help people navigate the hills and valleys of life, Dr. Johnson’s path has been informed by mentorship since the very beginning. Initially studying to become a teacher, she soon switched majors to focus on business; however, she still found herself dissatisfied. Seeking to strike a balance between people and business strategy, she ultimately found her calling in industrial organizational psychology – the discipline of blending organizational design, culture and efficiency.
Dr. Johnson shares, “It was during my interactions with my professor and counselor that I discovered my passion. Every conversation with him, whether about adjusting course load or seeking academic guidance, led me to take a course in organizational psychology, and I found myself captivated by the subject.”
The field resonated with her because it integrates clinical psychology with individual-focused issues and the business principles associated with an MBA or a business degree. She was also fascinated by how the program teaches students to present their findings as if they were addressing a diverse board of directors, incorporating different perspectives and promoting inclusivity.
A View from the Top
Earning her PhD at the California School of Professional Psychology, Dr. Johnson went on to hold prominent positions at such companies as Charles Schwab, Kaiser Permanente, Meta, Zip Co, and, currently, Google. In light of these achievements, Dr. Johnson admitted that she felt she had reached the pinnacle of her career, especially when she became the chief people officer at Zip Co. “Reporting directly to the chief executive officer and presenting to the board of directors monthly, I felt like I had achieved my long-term goal of being at the top,” she shares.
However, the transition to Google presented an unexpected challenge. Stepping into a role several layers below the chief executive officer required an adjustment that tested Dr. Johnson’s core values and adaptability. However, she approached this change with the same resilience that has defined her career. She embraced the chance to learn afresh and contribute meaningfully to her colleagues and the company at large.
In all her roles, Dr. Johnson has sought to serve as a mentor to those under her guidance, instilling in them a deep appreciation and dedication to effective workplace culture and people-focused leadership. Throughout the course of her journey, she has held fast to the philosophy of “vision and mission.”
Using the metaphor of a mountain and emphasizing the importance of collaboration, Dr. Johnson remarks, “It’s that mountain view. At the very top, place your vision up there. And then your journey to achieve that vision is your mission. It’s also the missions you take along the way, though. Who are you bringing with you? You do have to rely on others. If you’re climbing a mountain, doing it solo is pretty difficult. You have a crew of people around you that you rely on, you lean on, you get mentorship from, coaching from, because you get people who might have a little bit more experience. Maybe they’ve climbed that mountain before.”
Guiding Principles
Among all the lessons Dr. Johnson has learned, the most enduring has been the fact that there is no formula or blueprint for success. Her path unfolded through faith, intellectual curiosity and a willingness to step forward even when the way ahead is unclear.
As a mentor and motivational speaker, Dr. Johnson encourages her mentees and audiences to resist settling for modest goals, especially during challenging times. “One of the things I keep hearing in mentorship conversations,” she says, “is that it seems people’s vision of the top of the mountain is becoming dimmer and dimmer in these tumultuous times. It could be a professional athlete, or someone who’s looking for a promotion, or whatever it is at the top of their mountain, and it seems right now that that vision is dim. The encouragement I like to give folks is this: “Your vision should always be intimidating. Getting to the top of a mountain is difficult. It should be. If it’s not difficult, you don’t have the right vision.’”
Dr. Johnson also addresses the emotional and psychological dimensions of leadership. Quoting a principle she holds dear, “faith and fear both demand that you believe in something that you cannot see.” From her perspective as an organizational psychologist, acknowledging both positive and negative experiences is essential to making conscious, empowered decisions, rather than reactive ones driven by fear.
She advises, “You have your calling. You have your goal. Keep going. This is all bigger than all of us. And just look up and put something really intimidating at the top of that mountain and keep going.”
Dr. Johnson’s Marquis Who’s Who distinction recognizes more than a litany of titles and years of expertise; it honors her depth and impact as a thought leader who bridges theory and practice. Acknowledging this, she is grateful for the skills and techniques that she learned in organizational psychology, which have not only enabled her to excel in her chosen career but also the countless other people for whom she has served as a mentor throughout her life. For both herself and her pupils, there is always a new mountain to climb, and a new mission and vision to help empower each journey.
About Marquis Who’s Who®:
Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who’s Who in America®, Marquis Who’s Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Who’s Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. The suite of Marquis® publications can be viewed at the official Marquis Who’s Who® website, www.marquiswhoswho.com.
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