Courtney Johnson
Director, Strategic Planning & Development
Greater Phoenix Economic Council
Courtney Johnson is an Arizona native and a graduate of Arizona State University’s Barrett Honors College where she received her undergraduate degree in Nonprofit Leadership & Management and Masters in Nonprofit Studies.
Courtney currently serves as the Director of Strategic Planning & Development for the Greater Phoenix Economic Council. GPEC is focused on attract quality businesses to the Greater Phoenix region from around the world, and works as an advocate and champion for foundational efforts to improve the region’s competitiveness.
Prior to GPEC, Courtney served as the CEO of New Global Citizens, a nonprofit organization she launched in her senior year of college on a $1,000 seed grant with a mission to educate, empower, and invest in young people to change the world. Under her tenure, Courtney laid the foundation for success and guided the organization towards national and international expansion; now serving youth in 20 states across the country and working with grassroots partners in over 30 countries around the world. Prior to transitioning to the Board of Directors, Courtney was instrumental in secured a $1 million endowment grant from the Arizona Community Foundation. Courtney continues to speak about the power of young people and their role in addressing the world’s greatest challenges.
In 2009, Courtney was named “One of 12 Women Who Move the Valley” by Arizona Foothills Magazine. In 2008, Courtney received the first Athena Award for young professionals, and was honored by bizAZ as one of “35 Entrepreneurs under 35”. In 2007 she was named one of “20 Woman to Change Arizona by 2020” by Arizona Woman Magazine and the Arizona Republic. In 2006, Courtney was profiled in the Arizona Republic as one of Arizona's most intriguing Chief Executives, highlighted as one of the six to watch. Additionally, she was honored by the Phoenix Business Journal's Power Book as a "Power Generation Up-and-Coming Leader." In 2005, Courtney was honored as a Hon Kachina Honoree and in 2002 was named Woman of the Year by the Diocese of Phoenix.