November Breakfast Meeting Keynoter:
Ruth E. Johnson
Associate Vice-President for Advancement, Meharry Medical College
Side-by-Side
Walking Together for the Highest Potential
Ruth Johnson had mentors way before the word mentoring was ever coined, and it’s to these people she gives the credit for her personal and professional journey. Johnson grew up in segregated Nashville---before integration; that life in that day brought with it many challenges.
Right beside Johnson all the way were mentors and role models---her parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles---who played a key part in helping her become the successful person, mentor and role model she is today. Johnson will offer key tips, sage advice and the foundational theories on which she’s based her life.
About Ruth E. Johnson
Ruth E. Johnson, Associate Vice-President for Advancement, Meharry Medical College, joined the Meharry in 2005. But before that, In 1995 Johnson was appointed by Governor Don Sundquist as Commissioner for the Tennessee Department of Revenue, a position she held until 2003. Johnson also spent five years as a member of the National Advisory Council for Minority Health and Health Disparities at National Institutes of Health and is a past National President of the Federation of Tax Administrators.
Johnson has received many notable awards, including the Association of Government Accountants National Research Achievement Award; the GOAL Award for Best Strategic Planning in State Government; the 2012 Nashville ATHENA Award; and the Meharry Medical College President’s Spirit of Excellence Award.
During her career, Johnson served on more than 20 Boards and Commissions. Currently, Johnson currently serves on the First Bank Board of Directors and is Chair of the Board’s Audit Committee. She also serves as a Board member of the Baptist Healing Trust, and in June 2014, became a member of the ATHENA International Board.
In 2008, Johnson was one of a group of ten public and private sector leaders invited to submit articles discussing the future challenges the State of Tennessee faces. Johnson’s comments looked at access to affordable health care for all Tennesseans.
Johnson received her Bachelor of Science with Honors from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and her Juris Doctor from Vanderbilt Law School.
Johnson began her career as an Estate Tax attorney for the Internal Revenue Service, then worked as a Supervisor with Peat, Marwick, Mitchell & Co., and with Touche Ross & Co., before entering private law practice in 1985. In 1994, Johnson became an Adjunct Professor at Fisk University, where she supervised the Title III Grant and taught Business Law I.
Ruth is married to Richard Manson, an attorney, and the couple has a grown son and daughter.