Brandi Nicole Johnson, 29, Leader of the Next Generation
Service is in Brandi Nicole Johnson’s blood. With an army veteran and a non-profit leader as parents, her drive to lead and make a difference runs in the family.
The UNC Greensboro graduate works as a member of the Leadership Beyond Boundaries Team at the Center for Creative Leadership (CCL) in Greensboro. The LBB initiative, spans through 30 countries and is a growing movement to develop leaders at all levels – from street children to senior government leaders.
“CCL trains leaders at all levels,” she says. “My team and I are driven by making leadership development affordable and accessible throughout the world for youth, women and underserved audiences.”
When working with these groups, Brandi and her team work to empower these underserved audiences to lead self, lead with others and change their world. They work to transform education, eradicate poverty, and create opportunities for entrepreneurship.
Every day, she asks herself, “What would the world look like if all young people had access to leadership development?”
Brandi says she is dedicated to creating opportunities for all of the world’s young people.
“Since nearly half the world’s population is under 30, I believe we must make an investment in the next generation’s ability to lead,” she says. 
“I believe that I was born to develop the world’s next generation of leaders and to create experiences that transform lives. There’s nothing more powerful than knowing you live each day on purpose. In my life and work, my purpose prevails.”
Some recent projects Brandi has worked on include exciting partnerships with the Children’s Home Society of North Carolina and Opportunity Greensboro.
Over the last three years, Brandi has been working closely with the Children’s Home Society to create a leadership development model for youth with a foster care experience.
Brandi is preparing for the Leonard Kaplan Leadership Institute, a two-day leadership development experience for the Opportunity Greensboro Fellows Program (OGFP). The program is designed to create opportunities for local college students in Greensboro through industry internships, networking and leadership development. “My career has been made in Greensboro,” Brandi says, “I wish OGFP would have existed while I was a student at UNC Greensboro…[the program] is priceless.”
To all the future leaders in the world, Brandi shares her advice for success: “Lead with integrity. Live a life your descendants can be proud of. Be who you needed when you were younger.”
