President & CEO

Linda E. Johnson, President & CEO
Brooklyn Public Library

Linda E. Johnson
Photograph by Philip Greenberg

Born and raised in the Philadelphia region, Linda E. Johnson earned her undergraduate degree from Hamilton College in Clinton, New York. Her post graduate achievements include an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and a degree in law.

Prior to being named President of Brooklyn Public Library, Linda was the President and Chief Executive Officer of the National Constitution Center (NCC). Before taking the helm at the NCC, she served as the Chief Executive Officer of the Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation. During her term, she raised more than $40 million for the Parkway Central Library's Capital Campaign to finance a major renovation and expansion designed by acclaimed architect Moshe Safdie. She also oversaw the Library's annual-giving campaign, including the George Pepper Society, and was responsible for signature Library programs including the popular Author Series, One Book, One Philadelphia, which provides 8,000 books and fosters public dialogue about literature throughout the region each year, the Free Library Festival and the Summer Reading program which provides services to more than 60,000 school children annually.

Ms. Johnson is active on an array of non-profit boards, serving on the executive committee of the board of Hamilton College, where she also chairs the Building Grounds and Equipment Committee; the executive committee of the board of the Museum of Arts and Design; the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce; the Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation; and the Albert Einstein Healthcare Network. She previously served on the Germantown Friends School Committee.

Linda now calls New York City her home. During her spare time she enjoys collecting contemporary art, contemporary craft and early American folk art. She is also a long-distance runner who has completed seven marathons.