Zanette Johnson, PhD

Zanette Johnson, PhD is a multifaceted professional with extensive experience in organizational development, learning design, and leadership coaching. She currently serves as Co Director at NewStories.org, a position she has held since September 2020.1 In this role, she collaborates with organizations and funders to promote collaboration and implement strategic processes that enhance positive social impact. NewStories utilizes social technologies like storywork to assist communities and groups in navigating systems change and fostering life-affirming relationships.1

Dr. Johnson's professional background includes several key positions:

1. Director of Learning at YOL (January 2017 - Present): At this experiential learning company for leaders, she designs learning experiences and teaches neuroscience concepts underlying great leadership.1

2. Principal Consultant at Intrinsic Impact Consulting (September 2015 - Present): In this role, she helps teams improve their environment, interactions, and individual behaviors to increase employee satisfaction, engagement, and productivity.12

Her educational background is diverse and interdisciplinary:

• Bachelor's degree in Neuroscience and Religious Studies
• Master's in Teaching
• Doctoral degree from Stanford University's "Learning Science and Technology Design" program2

Dr. Johnson's approach combines her expertise as a learning scientist, neuroscientist, dancer, and dharma practitioner.3 She has 25 years of experience as a mindfulness practitioner, which she incorporates into her work.2 Her methods focus on helping teams and individuals align their daily actions with future goals, often utilizing the power of rituals and routines to implement new practices in organizational settings.2

At NewStories, Dr. Johnson contributes to the organization's mission of using innovative approaches to support communities and groups in navigating complex change processes.13