Laura Johnson
Vice President, Management Consulting, Transformation and Strategy, Indigenous Services Lead
Executive summary
Laura's work experience includes over 20 years of senior management and executive positions in the public and private sector. Prior to joining BDO, Laura worked as the Director General for Katimavik Atlantic as well as the Director for the Canadian Red Cross.
Throughout her career, a consistent theme has been relationships—building meaningful relationships with clients, students, colleagues, and staff. She has honed her executive skills in relating to others with honesty and integrity. She is an advocate of experiential based activities and believes that people are the most important asset any organization can have.
Laura has extensive experience working with Indigenous communities and organizations. She has facilitated numerous community engagement sessions with Indigenous led tripartite groups in Atlantic Canada focusing on governance and self-determination. She has also led a number of capacity and management initiatives for Indigenous leadership groups on topics such as strategic management and planning, financial management, human resource management, two eyed seeing, and leadership.
As a known ally with Indigenous peoples, she works closely with a network of Elders across Canada to ensure programs designed meet the needs of community. Recently Laura has been involved in numerous research projects, specifically focused on examining gaps between funding allocations for Indigenous educational initiatives versus non-Indigenous educational initiatives (early childhood learning).
Laura's undergraduate degree is in business administration and her Masters is in adult education. She also works as a lecturer with the University of Prince Edward Island where she teaches adult education, interpersonal communication, change management, business administration, and organizational behavior. Laura has also co-led and designed several certificate programs with the Professional Development Center of UPEI including: Moving Up to Management; Supervisory skills for new supervisors, Leadership Certificate in Community Management and Advanced Leadership Certificate in Community Management.
Professional designations and education
Bachelor of Business Administration
Masters of Adult Education