Carol Johnson
Chief Development Officer for the Educational Foundation of Alpha Gamma Rho
Hometown: Quitman, Arkansas
Briefly describe your role:
I develop and cultivate donor relationships to solicit and secure funds that support the mission and purpose of the world’s only agricultural Fraternity to better and broaden agriculture and agricultural leadership.
Q: Is what you’re doing now what you always pictured you would do?
A: Absolutely! I always had a dream of doing the work I am doing, I just never imagined the scale at which I would be able to serve. Being able to fundraise across the entire nation allows me to network with so many amazing agriculturalists and see the true beauty and array of American agriculture all the while, and it is genuinely an honor!
Q: What do you see as the greatest challenges for women in your chosen industry? What are the greatest opportunities?
A: Honestly, the greatest challenges and opportunities are the same in my mind, and that is embracing the ever evolving changes that occur in agriculture.
Q: Who has inspired you in your life/career?
A: This is a hard question to simply answer—so many people have touched my life and inspire me:
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My parents, Pat and Kathy Bettis, raised me in a loving Christian home on our family farm with strong morals and values.
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My aunt, Linda Griffith, taught me the value of higher education.
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My ag teacher, Rodney Wiedower, encouraged my love for agriculture and my place in the field.
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My husband, Eric, has unconditionally (since the 8th grade) supported my every idea, all the good ones and a few bad ones too!
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My children, Jessica and Evan, motivate me to be the best example I can be.
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My former leadership, Dianne Logan, saw something in me that I didn’t even realize was there when she placed me in a development role.
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My current leadership, Rex Martin, inspires me to be the most efficient and effective person I can be day after day, all the while being myself and allowing me to love my work!
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The people I serve, Alpha Gamma Rho collegiate and alumni members, genuinely believe in me and give me the chance to prove myself and my work every single day, and we make a difference together.
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Q: What advice would you give to an aspiring professional?
A: Be your best self and serve others better today than you did yesterday.
Q: What’s been your secret to success?
A: Authenticity—I have learned that being true to who I am is the key to success.
