MEET MORE OF OUR 2025 WOMEN OF DISTINCTION
In her senior year of high school, Nina V.A. Johnson had a packed schedule. She participated in a national program for future business leaders most mornings, worked at an engineering firm in the afternoons, and on weekends, she held jobs at a clothing store during the day and a bank’s data center in the evenings. The hard work prepared her for a long and successful career. Now the senior vice president of U.S. Bank’s Wisconsin branch, Johnson has over 40 years of experience in the industry.
When Johnson started her career, there weren’t many women in banking and finance. She developed the confidence and courage to speak up for herself, and it paid off, as she took on more leadership roles and made her way up the corporate ladder. “When people underestimated me, it actually motivated me,” Johnson says.
In her current role, Johnson manages over 500 people across dozens of U.S. Bank branches. But her work expands far beyond her job. Throughout her career, she has devoted herself to philanthropic efforts as well, serving on 45 nonprofit boards. On top of that, she is executive chair of U.S. Bank’s Wisconsin Advisory Board, the executive advisor of the bank’s Global Black Heritage Business Resource Group, and served as the national chair of the bank’s Political Action Committee Board. “I’ve learned to say yes to the opportunities that are presented – and to absolutely commit to being a lifelong learner,” Johnson says.
“Nobody can celebrate and promote you like you can. So know your worth.”
Q&A
What is something that you find most rewarding about your work?
I really believe that the most rewarding part of this role is being able to support emerging leaders in their career journey.
What advice do you have for women who want to pursue a career like yours?
Say yes to the opportunities that are presented. Don’t count yourself out, because your counterparts aren’t counting themselves out. And absolutely commit to being a lifelong learner. That’s for anything you want to achieve.
Somebody I know recently said, ‘I could never do the public speaking events that you’ve been involved in.’ And I said, that took practice. That took me saying yes, even when I didn’t want to. I stretched myself. Anybody who wants to do what I’m doing, continue to stretch yourself by saying, yes. When opportunities are presented, continue to raise your hand whenever you see an opportunity, because you are your biggest advocate. Nobody can celebrate and promote you like you can. So know your worth.
