The Marque The Marque

Philip Johnston

President & CEO

Johnston Associates, LLC

Boston, MA, USA


Philip W. Johnston
Sasha Jensen
Jensen Partners
Quincy Jones
The Aspire Group of Companies

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.
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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.
 
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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.
 
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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.
 

Philip’s Education

John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University logo John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University logo
John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University
Master of Arts

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