Philip W. Johnston | Official Profile on The Marque

Philip’s Biography

In 1969, Phil founded and served as Executive Director of the Robert F. Kennedy Children’s Action Corps, one of the top juvenile justice and social services agencies in the country. In 1991, Phil served as the Executive Director of Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights, in Washington, D.C., an organization established by the Kennedy family to continue to carry on RFK’s work in the field of social justice and human rights in the U.S. and around the globe. Prior to this appointment, Phil served as Massachusetts Secretary of Health and Human Services under Governor Michael S. Dukakis. In 1992, he was appointed by President Clinton to serve as the New England Administrator of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. He served in that role until 1996 when he became a Democratic candidate for the US Congress in the 10th District of Massachusetts. From 2000-2007, Phil was twice elected Chair of the Massachusetts Democratic Party.

Phil was appointed in 2007 by Governor Deval Patrick as a member of the Board of Trustees of the University of Massachusetts. From 2013 to 2017, Phil served... In 1969, Phil founded and served as Executive Director of the Robert F. Kennedy Children’s Action Corps, one of the top juvenile justice and social services agencies in the country. In 1991, Phil served as the Executive Director of Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights, in Washington, D.C., an organization established by the Kennedy family to continue to carry on RFK’s work in the field of social justice and human rights in the U.S. and around the globe. Prior to this appointment, Phil served as Massachusetts Secretary of Health and Human Services under Governor Michael S. Dukakis. In 1992, he was appointed by President Clinton to serve as the New England Administrator of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. He served in that role until 1996 when he became a Democratic candidate for the US Congress in the 10th District of Massachusetts. From 2000-2007, Phil was twice elected Chair of the Massachusetts Democratic Party.

Phil was appointed in 2007 by Governor Deval Patrick as a member of the Board of Trustees of the University of Massachusetts. From 2013 to 2017, Phil served as Chairman of the University of Massachusetts Building Authority Board of Directors. In 2002, he was appointed to Chair the Board of the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation. In addition, Phil is the Board Chair of the Massachusetts Health Policy Forum affiliated with Brandeis University.

In addition to holding honorary degrees from the University of Massachusetts Boston, Bridgewater State College, and Curry College, Phil received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst (Honors in History) and a Master of Arts degree from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. READ MORE VIEW LESS

Philip’s Newsfeed

Business Wire

Perkins and RFK Children’s Action Corps Announce Affiliation, Prepare for Full Merger

Philip W. Johnston, who founded RFK Children’s Action Corps in 1969, said: “The values of Doctor Franklin Perkins School and of the RFK Children’s Action Corps align perfectly...This merger will ensure that thousands of the most vulnerable children in Massachusetts and the nation will receive much-needed services for many years to come. Robert Kennedy would be very proud of the legacy of this important agency, and the future looks very bright.”

Philip’s Background

Johnston Associates, LLC

President & CEO

1996 - Present

Washington, DC, USA

Founded in 1996, Johnston Associates, LLC is a leading public affairs and strategic communications consulting firm serving the diverse needs of organizations working in both the public and private sectors.

Massachusetts Democratic Party

Chairman

2000 - 2007

Boston, MA, USA

Massachusetts Democrats believe that every person has the right to live a full, meaningful life with equal access to opportunity, security & inclusion. They believe that when people are empowered to organize their local communities, they can change the Commonwealth and country for the better.

U.S. Congress

Democratic Candidate

1996 - 2007

Washington, DC, USA

Democratic candidate for the US Congress in the 10th District of Massachusetts. During this period, Phil was twice elected Chair of the Massachusetts Democratic Party.

U.S. Congress

Democratic Candidate

1995 - 1996

Washington, DC, USA

The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the Federal Government of the United States. It consists of two chambers the House of Representatives & the Senate.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

New England Administrator

1992 - 1996

Washington, DC, USA

Appointed by President Clinton to serve as the New England Administrator Phil was responsible for a multitude of federal Health & Human Services programs, including Medicare, Medicaid, Headstart, WIC & many other programs serving vulnerable populations in the six New England states.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Secretary, Massachusetts

1984 - 1991

Washington, DC, USA

in 1984 Governor Michael S. Dukakis appointed Phil the Secretary of Health and Human Services in Massachusetts. Prior to this appointment, Phil had begun his fifth consecutive term as an elected State Representative from the Fourth Plymouth District of Massachusetts.

Massachusetts House of Representatives

Member

1974 - 1984

Washington, DC, USA

Phil was elected as a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives and was re-elected four times by large margins. During his tenure, he was responsible for the legislation which created the state Dept. of Social Services and the state hotline for abused & neglected children.

View all Hide

Current Board Positions

Conformis, Inc.

Board of Directors

2017 - Present

Billerica, MA, USA

Conformis designs and manufactures customized knee and hip replacements that are patient-specific. Its proprietary iFit Image-to-Implant technology platform to develops and manufactures joint replacement implants that are individually sized and shaped

University of Massachusetts Foundation

Vice Chair

Amherst, MA, USA

In 2007 Phil was appointed by Governor Deval Patrick as a member of the Board of Trustees of the University of Massachusetts. The Foundation supports the development efforts of the five-campus system by overseeing several programs & initiatives to promote the growth & well-being of UMass.

Previous Board Positions

Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library & Museum

Board of Trustees

New York, NY, USA

Founded in 1882 the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library & Museum brings together in one place the documents & artifacts of a President and his administration. Presenting them to the public for study and discussion without regard for political considerations or affiliations.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation

Chair

1998 - 2019

Boston, MA, USA

Phil has served on the Board of Directors of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts since 1998 and was elected Chair of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation in 2002. The Foundation provides grants to Massachusetts nonprofit organizations, which work in the healthcare field on behalf of low-income citizens.

View all Hide

Philanthropy

RFK / Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights

Executive Director

1991 - Present

New York, NY, USA

Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights, founded in 1968, is led by human rights activist and lawyer Kerry Kennedy and advocates for a more just and peaceful world. Working alongside local activists to ensure lasting positive change in governments and corporations, the RFK team includes leading attorneys, advocates, entrepreneurs and writers united by a commitment to social justice.

Robert F. Kennedy Children’s Action Corps

Founder & Advisory Council Member; Fmr. Executive Director

Lancaster, MA, USA

Founded in 1969, Robert F. Kennedy Children’s Action Corps is a leader in child welfare and juvenile justice, operating a number of programs and services for at-risk youth and families.

Speaking Engagements

Massachusetts Health Policy Forum

Introductory Speaker

Sep 2019

Amherst, MA, USA

Philip gave an introductory speech at the event titled "Addressing the Opioid Crisis in Small and Rural Communities in Western Massachusetts.” Held on the Harvard campus, the event was presented by the Massachusetts Health Policy Forum, in collaboration with the UMass Amherst School of Public Health and Health Sciences.