As Chief Operating Officer and Vice President of Strategy, Yodit oversees NEW’s staff, operations and program initiatives. She also joins the Organizational Development team as a consultant and trainer in the areas of leadership development, non-profit management, strategic planning and diversity, equity and inclusion. She is a nationally recognized speaker, trainer and facilitator having provided workshops and keynote presentations in business development, nonprofit management, social justice and entrepreneurship for nearly two decades. Yodit brings a mix of corporate and entrepreneurial endeavors to this role. Immediately before joining NEW, Yodit directed a statewide entrepreneurial development initiative for the Center for Empowerment and Economic Development (CEED) that focused on advocacy and technical assistance to woman and persons-of-color led businesses. Yodit studied at Eastern Michigan University. She is the 2016 recipient of the Black United Fund’s Epic Leader Award and proudly serves on the IHN at Alpha House and United Way of Washtenaw County boards.A nationally recognized speaker, teacher, activist and on-air personality, Yodit juggles many responsibilities, including being a Mom, while using her voice to champion causes that promote equity and access for people of color.

Builder. Connector. Driver. As Chief Relationship Officer, Yodit initiates strategic partnerships, high impact collaborations, and innovative business opportunities while building and driving the growth of a robust ‘relationship ecosystem’ for NEW. Yodit brings many years of experience, both in corporate and entrepreneurial endeavors, to this role. Prior to joining NEW, Yodit directed a statewide business development project for the Center for Empowerment and Economic Development (CEED). In that capacity and since, she has been a frequent speaker and advocate for nonprofits and social entrepreneurs. Yodit studied Marketing and Communications at Eastern Michigan. She is the 2014 recipient of the American Business Women’s Association Rising Star award and serves on several area committees and boards.In addition to evangelizing the services of NEW, she is founder of Lips & Hips. Proud mom, activist and graham cracker aficionado.

Responsible for evangelizing the services of NEW, including generating earned revenue through robust selling and marketing of organization's support and services to nonprofit organizations. When I get it right, we have lasting relationships with those who need solutions and access regarding board governance/leadership, technology and nonprofit management.

Providing governance, fund development, management and resource training to nonprofit organizations throughout southeast Michigan.

Detroit native, Yodit Mesfin Johnson, has a knack for launching innovative businesses and inspiring greatness. She has been addressing issues of diversity and social justice for nearly two decades first as an activist and more recently as a trainer, consultant, facilitator, and speaker. Her extensive and varied background enables her to bring a range of skills and perspectives to meet the needs of her clients. She has worked with numerous organizations, non-profit agencies, community groups, schools and Universities to create environments that allow all people to feel valued, to be treated fairly, and to work together productively. Recently, she has been facilitating groups for community members to explore race, racism and implicit bias. As a champion for equity and social justice, she has coached and trained hundreds of corporate and nonprofit leaders throughout the country who are interested in advancing diversity, equity and inclusion in their organizations.She recently founded Black Men Read, an inclusive literacy initiative for elementary aged students in Michigan.

As Lead Entrepreneur, I provided leadership in developing and deploying the Enterprising Health Fellowship Program as well as coordinating the entrepreneurial and coaching components of Enterprising Health in Detroit. I brought connections within the Detroit and SE Michigan entrepreneurial community to the initiative to assist in generating broader community “ownership” of the program and leveraging needed expertise from the community. Some major streams of work to support Enterprising Health included:Supporting the existing Enterprising Health Community Supporting the existing EH-sponsored businesses Assisting businesses in refinement of their business plan and conceptMaking connections to assist businesses in development Assisting in documenting the process and outcomes in working with existing businessesDefining and initiating EH version 3Marketing and introduction of the programCoordinating closely with the Director, the development of the 5 month Fellowship program in conjunction with Ascension Health and St John Providence Health System, the local sponsorCo-lead with the Director the development session topics and curriculum for educational sessions and supplemental workshopsCollaborating with the Director, the development of the cohort structure and how to assess businesses for coaching and adviceIdentifying productive channels to direct participants that either do not want to pursue the entrepreneurial route or are not selected for additional support/fundingInitiating the support structure for newly funded businesses

Accomplishments:Increased membership and partnerships - from 600 to 6,000 and from 14 to 64, respectively Wrote and received technology grant from AT & TSecured weekly radio show featuring site - Metro Chick RadioDuties:Market the website to both potential members and visitors through e-mail marketing campaign, press releases, public speaking, direct mail, and other efforts and developing new outreach methods and strategies to promote MWM to potential site usersBuild partnerships with organizations and companies that share like vision/goals for empowering women business owners, and create informal written agreements encouraging cross-promotion and collaborative planning Oversee and improve overall awareness of project and all day-to-day operationsOversee and implement Search Engine Optimization processes to increase traffic to websiteCoordinate design improvements and expansions and record website trafficProvide statistics and document accomplishments to current and potential funders and key staff to help generate continued funding for the program