Today we’d like to introduce you to Rosene Johnson.
I am a teacher at heart! I have always been the person looking out for others and doing all that I can to help those that are marginalized or underrepresented. Rosene Johnson is an energetic, innovative, results-oriented executive leader passionate about building strong communities and improving the lives of girls, children, and persons with disabilities. Recognized by the Orlando Business Journal as a Top 40 under 40 business leader, Ms. Johnson has built a career developing successful children and supporting those that work with them. Over her career, Ms. Johnson has developed and implemented successful corporate social engagement strategies leading to increased funding and strategic partnerships, raising over $2 million toward the support of children and their programming in the Central Florida Region. She remains a dedicated public policy advocate for children’s rights, community initiatives with local and state government officials. Enhancing the services for some of our states’ most vulnerable children, she successfully led the transition of a 4,000-square foot facility to a purpose-built and renovated 15,000-square foot facility for individuals with disabilities, garnering over $750,000 of community support.
In addition, she led a team to bring Orlando’s first-ever Abilities Technology Expo to provide the latest technological advances to individuals with motor disabilities in greater reach. These advances have led to commercial products currently in development with the National Science Foundation and Full Sail University to help those children with disabilities become more independent and live a higher quality of life. Ms. Johnson has received gubernatorial appointments in the state of Michigan and in the state of Florida. She has held faculty positions at Lansing Community College and Michigan State University, developing curriculum and programs in the areas of child development, early childhood program administration, leadership and inclusion. She has also served as a program consultant with the University of Michigan, Orange County Public Schools, Scholastic Inc., and several other family and youth service organizations.
A published author and researcher in the child development field, Ms. Johnson was recently appointed to serve on the Valencia College Board of Trustees, ranked nationally as the top two-year college in the country. She is currently serving as the Executive Director of PACE Center for Girls in Orange County, where she helps teen girls with challenging pasts realize promising futures. Impacted over 100 girls each year, Ms. Johnson leads Pace to provide counseling and academic services for girls in need of support after unresolved trauma and adverse experiences attempt to weigh them down. Her goal to find the great in every girl has assisted the organization in keeping over 95% of their girls out of the juvenile justice system and ensuring that over 85% of them complete high school and move forward to post-secondary education. Recently cited by the Orlando Sentinel as one of the 10 people that make Orlando a great place to live, Ms. Johnson is an avid volunteer supporting Dream Life Center, where she leads their children’s department.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has not been a smooth road, but a beautiful journey. When I started as an Executive Director, I was 24 years old and had NO idea of what I was doing. LOL! Next to the undergraduates, I was the youngest person and I was expected to lead a staff of 80 people. I learned so much during my time at Michigan State University and I relish that time. My greatest struggle was learning how to lead and be me at the same time. Being comfortable with my authenticity is something that I am happy I have learned how to infuse in my leadership and in my roles. The more authentic I am, the stronger relationships I have with my team… which is invaluable.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
At Pace Center for Girls, I have the unique privilege of watching a young lady transform into her best self. This is one of the greatest rewards in my life. There is nothing quite like seeing a young lady come in at sometimes her lowest and leave our program after connecting with her counselor, raising her grades, making new friends, leave as a confident young woman. I love working with children and families. It brings me great joy to see them succeed and help families get closer together. For my entire career, I have championed students that need the most support, find themselves overlooked or are the most vulnerable. These are the children I gravitate toward and they gravitate toward me.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
LOL! I LOVE to dance and I LOVE TO TRAVEL! The travel part, people may know… but I LOVE TO DANCE! As a little girl, I would dress up like Donna Summer and Diana Ross, flipping and dancing across our living room. Music is a huge part of my life. Some of the best moments of my life I can connect to a pivotal song.
Contact Info:
- Email: rosene.johnson@pacecenter.org
- Website: www.pacecenter.org
- Instagram: rosenejohnson
- Facebook: rosenejohnson
- Twitter: kidsuccesscoach
