Education

2016 Executive Master of Healthcare Leadership: Brown University, Providence, RI

2010 Bachelor of Arts: Creative Writing: Seattle University, Seattle, WA

Certifications

2022 Change Management Certification: Cornell University

2021 Foundations for Creating Mentally Healthy Workplaces For All Audiences: Mind Share Partners

2021 Accessibility Fundamentals: Microsoft

Professional Experience

November 2023 – Present

CEO and Founder

The Thrive Shift

July 2023 – November 2023

Communications Director

University of Illinois Urbana Champaign - Krannert Center for the Performing Arts

July 2021 – June 2023

Change Communications Program Manager - Amazon Account

Pacific Program Management

May 2017 – June 2021

Communications Manager and Public Information Specialist

ADA National Network Knowledge Translation Center, University of Washington

Nov 2008 – Present

President and Co-Founder, Speaker, Author, and Advocate: LC & Associates

Jan 2012 – Jan 2018

Research Study Coordinator: Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Washington

Sep 2015 – Apr 2017

Stakeholder Lead: Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Washington

Sep 2010 – Apr 2013

Mental Health Outreach Coordinator: Assistant Producer, MyDoc Productions

Jun 2010 – Sep 2011

Research Consultant: Center for Change in Transition Services, Seattle University

Internships

Sep 2011 – Dec 2011 Mental Health Policy Intern: World Health Organization

Jun 2008 – Nov. 2008 Intern: Center for Ethical Leadership

Jun 2004 – Aug 2004 Intern: Seattle Center Foundation

Service / Volunteer

International

2020 Member, One Mind - Music and the Brain Think Tank

2019 - 2022 Stability Leader, The Stability Network

2018 - 2019 Educator, Medical Education Exchange Team (MEET)

National

2012 Chair, DBSA Young Adult Council Coordinator

2009- 2011 Youth Advisor, BringChange2Mind

State

2020 - 2021 Member, Internet Access Crisis Team (I-ACT)

2019 - 2022 Member, Governor’s Committee on Disability Issues and Employment (GCDE)

2019 - 2022 Chair, GCDE Youth Leadership Forum Sub-Committee

2019 - 2022 Member, GCDE Community Outreach Sub-Committee

2015 - 2016 Policy Volunteer, Disability Rights Washington (DRW)

Community

2021 - 2022 Affiliate, Disability Studies Program, University of Washington Medical Center

2009 - 2011 Volunteer, Department of Recreation Therapy, University of Washington Medical Center

2010 - 2011 Steering Committee Member, Thomas C. Wales Symposium  

Publications

Articles - Peer Reviewed

Jensen, M., Galer, P., Johnson, L. George, H., Mendoza, E., & Gertz, K. (2015). The Associations Between Pain-Related Beliefs, Pain Intensity, and Patient Functioning: Hypnotizability as a Moderator.  PAIN.

Vowles, K., Johnson, L., Gertz, K., & Jensen, M. (2014). Development and Preliminary Testing of a Screening Measure of Acceptance and Willingness in Relation to Pain, Fatigue, and Sadness in Chronic Pain. Clinical Journal of Pain.

Jensen, M., Vowles, K., Johnson, L., & Gertz, K. (2013). Living Well with Pain: Development and Preliminary Evaluation of the Valued Living Scale. Clinical Journal of Pain.

Jensen, M., Johnson, L., Gertz, K., Galer, B., & Gammaitoni, A. (2013). The Words Patients Use to Describe Chronic Pain: Implications for Measuring Pain Quality. Pain.

Johnson, C., Eva, L., Johnson, L. & Walker, B. (2011). Don't Turn Away: Empowering Teachers to Support Students' Mental Health. Clearing House: A Journal of Educational Strategies, Issues and Ideas, V84 n1 9-12.

Articles - Special Focus

Johnson, L. (2019).  How Solo Travel Helped Me Unlock a New Level of Confidence. HelloGiggles.

Johnson, L. (2019).  How to Create a Supportive Culture Around Mental Health at Work. Thrive Global in collaboration with Deloitte.

Johnson, L. (2019).  6 Specific Ways to Check in With Your Mental Health. Thrive Global in collaboration with Deloitte.

Johnson, L. (2019).  How mental wellness can help prevent burnout, anxiety, and work-related conditions. Programme Eve.

Johnson, L. (2018). Need to Talk to Your Boss About Depression? Here’s Where to Start. Girlboss.

Johnson, L. (2017). I’m Depressed and Employed: How I Make it Work. Girlboss.

Johnson, L. (2017). Muslim-American Mental Health Advocate Melody Moezzi is Putting Up a Fierce Fight. Girlboss.

Johnson, L. (2017). A Former Olympian, Sex Worker, and Mental Health Advocate on Overcoming Shame. Girlboss.

Johnson, L. (2017). How it Feels to Realize I’ve Outlived Sylvia Plath. Hello Giggles.

Johnson, L. (2017). Traveling with an Eating Disorder Pushed Me to Finally Open Up About My Recovery. Hello Giggles.

Johnson, L. (2017). Here Are 9 Books That Will Help You Better Understand Bipolar Disorder and Depression. Hello Giggles.

Johnson, L. (2014) Mental Illness Does Not Mean Your Life is Over. Seattle Times.

Johnson, L. (2014) Welcoming the Rain in Ireland. MIUSA (Mobility International USA).

Books

Johnson, L., & Johnson, C. (2012). Perfect Chaos: A Daughter’s Journey to Survive Bipolar, a Mother’s Struggle to Save Her. New York, NY: St. Martin’s Press.

Presentations

International

Should I Tell My Boss? Building a Compassionate Environment Around Employee Mental Health. Kennedy Forum Annual Meeting, Chicago, Il. (June 2019).

Perfect Chaos. Sunovion Company Wide Meeting. Austen, TX. (April 2019)

Kennedy Forum Mind Matters- Mental Health and the Media. Kennedy Forum. Chicago, Il, (March 2018). 

Perfect Chaos. Can Tho University, Can Tho, Vietnam, (November 2017).

Perfect Chaos. Life Space Crisis Intervention International Conference. Cleveland, OH. (May 2017).

Perfect Chaos. Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Company Meeting, Boston, MA. (May 2017).

Transition, Wellness and Mental Health. Pac Rim International Conference on Disability and Human Rights. Honolulu, HI. (April 2016).

Perfect Chaos. International Psychiatric Conference. Miami, Florida. (December 2015).

Transition and Youth with Mental Illnesses. Pacific Rim International Conference on Disability and Diversity. Honolulu, HI. (April 2014).

Opening Plenary. Kennedy Forum Inaugural Conference. Boston, MA. (October 2013).

Research Meets Practice for Young Adults with Mental Illness. International Association of Special Education. Vancouver, BC, Canada. (July 2013).

Diagnosis to Empowerment. Keynote at the Pacific Rim International Conference on Disability and Diversity. Honolulu, HI. (April 2013).

Perfect Chaos. Keynote, International Child & Adolescents Conference XVI. Minneapolis, MN. (September 2012).

A First-person Journey of Bipolar Disorder: Insight, Resources, Hope. Keynote, Pacific Rim International Conference on Disability and Diversity. Honolulu, HI. (March 2012).

Perfect Chaos. International Mental Health Research Organization (IMHRO) One Mind for Research Campaign Launch. Boston, MA. (May 2011).

Transition for Youth with Mental Health Conditions. Keynote. Council for Children with Behavioral Disorders 8th Biennial International Conference on Children and Youth with Behavioral Disorders. Denver, CO. (September 2009).

Hidden Disabilities: Transition of Youth with Bipolar Disorder. Pacific Rim International Conference on Disabilities. Honolulu, HI. (May 2009).

Transitioning Youth with Mental Health Conditions including Bipolar Disorder to Post- school Settings. Biennial International Conference on Children and Youth with Behavioral Disorders. Minneapolis, MN. (November 2008).

National

Breaking Down Barriers to Care. Women in Government Annual Meeting. Washington DC. (November 2019).

Perfect Chaos. American Psychiatric Association Annual Meeting. San Francisco, CA. (May 2019).

Self-Determination, Advocacy and Recovery. High Hopes Linder Center, Cincinnati, OH. (April 2018).

Transition and Mental Health. Colorado Transition Leadership Institute. Keystone, CO. (June 2018).

Community Recovery: Wrap Around Systems of Care. ClarityCon 2017: A Summit on Children’s Mental Health. San Antonio, TX. (December 2017).

Perfect Chaos. Keynote. Parent Professional Advocacy League (PPALs) Conference, Marlborough, MA. (May 2017)

Perfect Chaos. Peace of Mind Storytellers, Providence, RI. (May 2017).

Empowerment to Recovery. Keynote, Mental Health Symposium, David Lawrence Center. Naples, FL. (March 2016).

Perfect Chaos. Keynote. Leaning Forward, Washington, D.C. (December 2015).

Perfect Chaos. Keynote.  Division on Career Development & Transition, Council for Exceptional Children, Portland, OR. (November 2015).

Hope and Grace. National Alliance on Mental Illness. Los Angeles, CA. (May 2015).

Perfect Chaos. Keynote. American Psychiatric Nurse Association Annual Conference, Indianapolis, IN. (October 2014).

Perfect Chaos. Keynote presentation to the Arizona Transition Conference. Phoenix, AZ. (August 2014).

Young Adulthood and Mental Illness. Keynote presentation to Georgia State Transition Conference. St. Simon’s Island, GA. (June 2014).

A Story of Recovery. Keynote presentation to Jewish Family Services. San Diego, CA. (May 2014). 

Perfect Chaos. Keynote presentation to Wisconsin NAMI Conference. Appleton, WI. (April 2014). 

Young Adulthood and Mental Illness: It’s a Journey. Keynote presentation to Minnesota NAMI Conference. Minneapolis, MN. (November 2013).

Families and Mental Illnesses. Dorothy C. Fuqua Lecture Series, Keynote presentation with Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN, Skyland Trail. Atlanta, GA. (September 2013).

Perfect Chaos. Keynote. Depression Bipolar Support Alliance Conference, Miami, FL. (May 2013).

Hidden Pictures film screening and discussion. American Psychiatric Association Conference. San Francisco, CA. (May 2013).

Finding Voice, Finding Community: A Road to Recovery. Keynote presentation at the Alabama State Transition Conference. Auburn, AL. (February 2013).

Research Meets Practice for Young Adults with Mental Illness. National Association of College Admission Counselors. Denver, CO. (October 2012).

Preparing Students with Disabilities for Life after High School: It’s a Partnership. National Association of College Admission Counselors. Denver, CO. (October 2012).

Professional and Personal Journey with Mental Illness. Tell Me More, National Public Radio. (August 2012).

Perfect Chaos. Karla Smith Foundation. St. Louis, MO. (August 2012).

Advocacy, Empowerment and Recovery. Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance National Conference. Houston, TX. (December 2011).

Life after High School for Youth with Mental Illnesses. National Alliance on Mental Illness Convention. Chicago, IL. (July 2011).

Transitioning Students with Mental Illness to Postsecondary Education: Planning, Services and Youth Voice. Division on Career Development and Transition National Convention. Mystic, CT. (October 2010).

Supporting Young Adults with Mental Illness Transition to Life after High School. Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance National Convention. Chicago, IL. (May 2010).

Finding Voice, Finding Recovery. Keynote, Empowerment Conference for Native Americans with Disabilities. Polson, MT. (April 2010).

Youth with Mental Health Conditions including Bipolar Disorder and Transition Services. National Alliance on Mental Illness Conference. San Francisco, CA. (July 2009).

Bipolar Disorder, Mental Health Conditions and Transition Services. Building on Family Strengths Conference, Portland State University. Portland, OR. (June 2009).

State

Life After High School for Young People with Mental Illnesses. Washington NAMI Conference. Port Angeles, WA. (October 2016).

Transition: Resiliency and Recovery for Youth with Mental Illness. Keynote, Transition Conference. Las Vegas, NV. (October 2015).

Perfect Chaos. Keynote. Auburn University Conference, Auburn, AL (June 2015).

A Journey of Perfect Chaos. Keynote. Colorado University Depression Center. Denver, CO. (October 2014).

Perfect Chaos. Keynote. Auburn Alaskan School Counselors Conference, Anchorage, AK. (November 2014).

Perfect Chaos. Keynote. Georgia State IDEA’s Conference, St. Simon’s Island, GA. (June 2014).

Perfect Chaos. Keynote. NAMI Wisconsin, Appleton, WI. (May 2014).

Perfect Chaos. Keynote. NAMI Minnesota Conference, Minneapolis, MN. (November 2013).

Perfect Chaos. Opening Keynote. National Alliance on Mental Illness Convention. Seattle, WA. (July 2012).

Finding Voice, Finding Community: A Journey to Recovery. National Alliance on Mental Illness International Conference. Seattle, WA. (June 2012).

Supporting Students with Mental Health Conditions. Keynote. Wisconsin Transition Conference. Madison, WI. (February 2012).

A Journey of Recovery. Presentation to Eastern Washington State Hospital providers and patients. Cheney, WA. (October 2011).

Advocacy and Recovery. Keynote Washington State Alliance on Mental Illness State Convention. Ellensburg, WA. (August 2010).

Young Adults with Mental Illness: Advocacy to Recovery. Keynote, Texas Transition Conference. Austin, TX. (February 2010).

Don’t Turn Away: Responding to Youth with Mental Health Conditions in High Schools. Paper presented at the Healthy Schools Summit, Washington State Department of Health. Seatac, WA. (May 2009).

Advocacy, Empowerment, Hope: A Journey with Mental Illness. Keynote presentation at the King County Behavioral Health Conference. Seattle, WA. (September 2012).

Transition Services for Youth with Mental Illness. National Alliance for Mental Illness, Cowlitz County. Longview, WA. (June 2009).

Community

Perfect Chaos. Seattle Public Library. Seattle, WA. (February 2015).

Adolescents, Bipolar, and Suicide. Harborview Medical Center Psychiatry Medical Students. Seattle, WA. (August 2014).

Bipolar Disorder, Depression and Transition to Employment. Division of Vocational Rehabilitation. Seattle, WA. (September 2014).

Sound Mental Health’s Eliminating Mental Health Stigma Through the Arts. Seattle, WA. (October 2013)

Mental Health Conditions and Family. The Polyclinic. Seattle, WA. (June 2013).

Perfect Chaos: A Journey to Recovery through Writing, Advocacy and Empowerment. Seattle University Book Festival, Making Meaning. Seattle, WA. (March 2013).

Memoir and Recovery. Transition Resources. Seattle, WA. (February 2013).

One in Four Families. Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors. Seattle, WA. (January 2013).

The Mental Health Maze. Interview with KIRO News. Seattle, WA. (January 2012).

Transition Planning for Adolescents with Behavioral and Mental Health Challenges. Tree House. Seattle, WA. (November 2012).

Fighting Stigma, Finding Solutions. Thomas C. Wales Foundation. Seattle, WA. (March 2011).

Professional Honors

American Association of People with Disabilities, Paul G. Hearne Award, Finalist, 2014

Depression Bipolar Support Alliance Life Unlimited Award, Recipient, 2013