Marketing executive-turned health equity champion receives AHA's highest staff honor

Growing up in New York's Crown Heights community, Gerald Johnson saw the impact of under-investment. Jobs were scarce, fast food was more prevalent than fresh food and quality health care was often out of reach.

"We always heard, 'If you get sick, don't go to this hospital [in the neighborhood], go to that one' [across town where the White people live]," he said.

Fast forward to today, and many of those disparities still exist. It's what keeps Johnson up at night and propels him forward as the American Heart Association's executive vice president of health equity and chief diversity officer. Education, a stint on the European professional basketball circuit and a corporate career were his ticket to a better life. He has been on a mission to help others ever since.

"We still have ZIP codes determining people's life expectancy — with 10- and 20-year gaps between communities a few miles apart," he said. "Fresh food, smoke-free air, hospitals that adhere to AHA quality guidelines … every community should have access. That's what motivates me."

Serving, giving and caring are in Johnson's DNA, passed down from his dad Gerald Sr. and his grandmother, Cynthia Johnson, who raised him.

"When you see me, you see them," he said. "They were servant leaders in their own lives. And so, I've always volunteered for organizations including Big Brothers, Big Sisters, Meals on Wheels and others."

Drawn by the AHA's focus on health equity, Johnson connected with the organization nearly two decades ago amid a successful marketing career driving sales for big brands and Fortune 100 companies, including Unilever, Nabisco, Cadbury Schweppes, ConAgra Foods and Magic Johnson Enterprises. 

He first volunteered for the AHA on the Diversity Leadership Committee, which he later led as chairperson, and he held numerous other national committee positions. His tremendous impact inspired an offer for a staff position as the AHA's inaugural chief diversity officer.

An extraordinary leader

"Since day one, Gerald has extensively partnered with volunteers and executives across the association to guide health equity strategy, messaging and positioning," said Nancy Brown, CEO of the AHA. "He works tirelessly to broaden representation of diverse staff and volunteer talent. And he has helped to expand our health equity work beyond global borders."

Johnson serves as a lieutenant to Brown in her role as co-chairperson of the World Economic Forum Global Health Equity Network, which mobilizes executives across sectors and industries to address health disparities.

He drives the AHA's progress in building an inclusive workplace where all voices are valued, and all audiences are equitably served by its mission. His leadership helped launch the AHA Office of Health Equity, AHA Social Impact Funds and more — sharpening the AHA's competitive edge, broadening its impact, attracting new business and strengthening national and global alliances. He also powers the AHA's mentoring program, supplier diversity initiatives and cultural learning experiences.

A key outcome of Johnson's leadership is the CEO Diversity Advisory Cabinet, which exists to advance the AHA's mission across all populations, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, religion, age, sexual orientation, national origin and physical disability.

Under his guidance, the AHA created 10 unique Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) that engage and support staff with similar life experiences. Among them are Heart & Soul, which supports Black staff interests; Somos Corazón, created for Hispanic/Latino employees; Hearts with Pride, an LGBTQ+ community; and H3 Club, targeted to Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders and Native Hawaiians. There are also ERGs for employees who are veterans, parents, introverts, emerging professionals and survivors of cardiovascular or brain disease.

Inspiring mission ambassadors

In 2022, Talent Dimensions and the Global ERG Network presented the AHA ERGs with its Top 10 Enterprise-Wide ERG Award, which honors excellence in initiatives to champion diversity, equity and inclusion.

To raise collective consciousness, the AHA Office of Health Equity hosts a monthly "Courageous Conversations" series, which tackles timely topics from racism to ageism and beyond, "creating a safe space to talk about things that are important to staff and relevant to our mission," Johnson said. And the Structural Racism and Health Equity Language Guide helps employees speak and write about important issues using consistent and respectful vernacular.

"I'm proud of these accomplishments, proud of the partnerships that we have and, more importantly, I'm proud of my team," Johnson said. "They've helped me create this Office of Health Equity and embed equity across the organization."

Through the lens of equity and inclusion, Johnson said the AHA will realize its vision of advancing health and hope for everyone, everywhere.

"I wish I had a magic wand and could wave unlimited resources across the world to mitigate the social drivers of health," he said. "I want to take the AHA to cities, states and countries where our mission isn't fully represented so all people have the opportunity to lead a longer, healthier life."

For his achievements, Johnson will receive the AHA's highest staff honor — the Earl B. Beagle Award for Staff Excellence — during the online National Volunteer Awards  ceremony on Thursday, from 6 to 8 p.m. Central.

He says he is honored and humbled to be recognized. And he pays homage to his family, including his grandmother, whom he calls his "everything," his wife, Stephanie, whose love sustains him and his dad, whose words of wisdom still resonate.

"Dad always said, 'Don't take yourself too seriously. Everyone matters.'"