Marsha Sampson Johnson

Marsha Sampson Johnson is known for keen insights and high-impact presentations on leadership and navigating careers. She is a highly effective facilitator of management and executive teams, including work groups large and small. She is passionate about furthering diversity, equity, and inclusion in all work environments.

Marsha connects with leaders from all sectors and skillfully navigates the dynamics of crossfunctional interactions. These abilities are grounded in an exciting 25-year career with Fortune 200 energy giant Southern Company; early employment with the City of Jacksonville (Florida), Westinghouse Offshore Power Systems, United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta, and Coleman Management Consultants; and, with extensive service on numerous community boards.

While at Southern Company, Marsha held several executive positions. When named Vice President Customer Service and Call Center Operations for Alabama Power Company, she became the first African-American female operations officer for any Southern Company subsidiary in four states. Other positions held include: Vice President Birmingham Division (largest of Alabama Power’s six Divisions), Vice President Talent Management, and Senior Vice President Human Resources and Chief Diversity Officer.

In 2010, as a way to further a life-long commitment to mentoring and learning from others, Marsha launched her website – www.marshasampsonjohnson.com and a column “Lessons from the Corporate Jungle” that appeared bi-weekly in The Birmingham Times. Her writings are published on CNN Opinion.com, and she is featured in the “Empowering Women Leaders” series on YouTube. As a featured speaker, Marsha presents to audiences across the United States and on international stages.

A native of Jacksonville, Florida, she graduated from Jacksonville University (after attending Spelman College her freshman and sophomore years). She completed Harvard University Graduate School of Business – Advanced Management/International Senior Managers Program, and the Executive Accounting and Finance Program at the Wharton School of Business.

Marsha is an alumna of five geographically-based leadership programs (Jacksonville, Atlanta, Birmingham, Mobile, and Alabama). She is a former Fellow of the International Women’s Forum (IWF), and served three terms (2012-2017) as an IWF Global Director for 7,500 women leaders from 33 nations on six continents. She remains active with IWF at both local and global levels, and is active with the Atlanta YWCA Academy of Women Achievers.

Marsha’s Mantra: Learn and Lead. Grow and Give-Back. Embrace each Day with Wonder.