Birgit Johnston

With a passion for working with nonprofits and companies that inspire others and make an impact, Birgit founded Johnston Communication over 16 years ago. Her proudest achievements revolve around promoting groundbreaking ideas and ideologies— telling her clients’ stories as a way to inspire others to push their own boundaries.

Joining the Institute in 2015, her work at the Fogarty Institute combines all these core competencies, while allowing her to be part of a close-knit community that thinks outside the box in the endless pursuit of finding a better way to care for patients. It fits well with her ethos of continuously striving to learn something new and conquer a new challenge.

Prior to consulting, Birgit led the communications function at Solectron Corporation (Flextronics), where she gained valuable global experience in the broad range of industries served by the company. That well-rounded view influences her ability to bring a well-balanced perspective and fresh ideas to clients.

Birgit’s interest in advancing nonprofits stems from forming and spearheading the communications department at Silicon Valley Community Foundation, a nonprofit that donated over $500 million in grants to worthy projects locally, nationally and internationally. She expanded her experience in advocacy and policy by heading the communications function at the Silicon Valley Manufacturing Group (Silicon Valley Leadership Group), a leading nonprofit that represents over 300 companies forming the innovation economy of Silicon Valley. For her work at this organization she was honored with the YWCA Tribute to Women in Industry Award.

Birgit holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Affairs from the University of Colorado, Boulder, and a master’s degree from the University of San Francisco.