Robert N. Johnson has coordinated a career in the corporate world with public service for over three decades. Today, he serves on the Smithsonian Institution’s Folklife & Culture. And once served as the Chairperson of the IU Alumni Association’s Board and Managers (representing over 750,000 alumni worldwide for all campuses).
Prior to graduating from Indiana University, Johnson accepted an offer from Procter & Gamble Co. where he worked for two years before being recruited to Kraft Foods. In 2015, Johnson finished his career at Kraft Foods as a Customer Vice President for Sales, National Accounts. His Kraft Foods journey encompassed 25 years, 14 positions, four headquarters assignments, +25 awards, and approximately 20 years in leadership and management roles. He gained experience in retail at the store level, general management, supply chain/logistics, strategic planning & client marketing, consumer insights, brand development, and client cultivation.
Johnson has served on the Smithsonian Institution Asian Pacific American Center Advisory Board, the Smithsonian Institution Steering Committee, the IU Alumni Association Board of Managers, the Adelante Foundation (Honduras), the National Association of Black Female Executives in Music & Entertainment Business Advisory Board, and the Sister City Committee San Francisco/Ho Chi Minh City Board of Directors.
Additional, previous board service has included terms on the IU International Studies Program External Advisory Council and the IU College of Arts & Sciences Dean’s Alumni Board. He is a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and the American Association of Geographers.
Today, his ACommon1 Connectivity LLC focuses on strategic small business and philanthropic initiatives. He’s endowed the undergraduate scholarships in the Geography and Economic Departments.
Johnson graduated from IU with a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics & Geography. He resides in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Hamilton Lugar School of Global and International Studies