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...
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:
- My parents, Pat and Kathy Bettis, raised me in a loving Christian home on our family farm with strong morals and values.
- My aunt, Linda Griffith, taught me the value of higher education.
- My ag teacher, Rodney Wiedower, encouraged my love for agriculture and my place in the field.
- My husband, Eric, has unconditionally supported my every idea, all the good ones and a few bad ones too!
- My children, Jessica and Evan, motivate me to be the best example I can be.
- 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.
- 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!
- 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.
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.
