Executive Staff

Michael Johnson is an executive non-profit leader who has dedicated the last seventeen years of his career to serving as the President & CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Dane County. During this time, he has significantly contributed to the organization by transforming it from a local children’s charity into a powerful change agent for children and families.

One of Michael’s most significant achievements has been driving high standards of excellence in financial transparency, community engagement, and governance. He developed several strategic plans that resulted in more than 22,000 donors contributing more than $50 million to the organization. He also increased the club’s net assets from $4 million to $26 million, quadrupled the number of children and families being served, and quadrupled the number of employees. Under his leadership, the organization expanded its operations across Fitchburg, Madison, Verona, and Sun Prairie, and successfully acquired the Boys & Girls Clubs of Walworth County.

Michael’s leadership also led to the creation of the largest public private partnership in the Madison School District and the investment of more than $21.6 million in direct resources to local high schools. As a result, more than 4,900 young people have graduated from high school at an average rate of 97%. He also hired more than a dozen career and college specialists who work with colleges and universities across the country to expand opportunities for students.

In addition to these accomplishments, Michael recently led a capital campaign to raise $35 million for a regional workforce center, which is currently the largest standalone, endowed campaign for such a center in the history of Boys & Girls Clubs of America. His leadership has also resulted in one of the largest singular student scholarships in the country, including a recently awarded $400,000 scholarship to a single student, ensuring access to higher education without financial barriers.

Through his leadership, Michael has become a well-known figure in the community, with his views, advocacy, and work being viewed more than 3 million times across local television and regional and national outlets, including the New York Times, Wisconsin State Journal, CNN, NBC, ABC, and CBS.

Michael’s dedication and impact have been widely recognized. He received the Boys & Girls Clubs of America Heart & Soul Award, the highest honor among Club executives. He was named “Man of the Year” by Madison 365, appointed by the Governor of Wisconsin to the Vel Phillips Taskforce, named the 2022 InBusiness Magazine Executive of the Year, awarded the 2022 MLK Humanitarian Award, recognized as the 2022 Top Executive Fundraiser by the Association of Fundraising Professionals, named a Hometown Hero by the Wisconsin State Legislature, and most recently recognized on the 2025 In Business Power 100 list, highlighting leaders shaping Wisconsin’s Capital Region.

He has also been honored with the Presidential Eagle Award from the Madison Black Chamber of Commerce in 2026, its highest distinction, awarded to visionary leaders who challenge assumptions, transform industries, and expand the conceptualization of what is possible.

Michael holds a BA in Business Education from Chicago State University and an MBA from the University of Phoenix. He also holds certifications in fundraising management from the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University, human resource management from Cornell University, an Advanced Leadership Certificate from the University of Michigan Ross School of Business, and a certificate in nonprofit strategic management from Harvard Business School. Michael and his wife, Toya, were both born and raised in Chicago and are the proud parents of three children, ages 21, 15, and 11.