Lorna K. Johnson is the Principal of Global Linkages, Inc., a management consulting firm, representing a cross-section of nonprofits, educational institutions and businesses in assisting with international exchanges, strategic planning, governance, fund development, volunteer development, grantsmanship, and program management and development initiatives. Global Linkages, Inc. has a particular focus on those organizations whose work includes international and global interest.

Through her consultancy, she served as the Director of the Africa and Caribbean Regions for United Way International from. In this position, she was responsible for the development and management of UWI’s portfolio in Africa as well as English-Speaking Caribbean serving current United Way members in these regions (22) as well as developing and working with emerging ones. Through her work with United Way International, she invigorated the organization’s commitment to serving these areas. She is responsible for the creation of United Way Ghana, United Way Uganda and the reformation of United Way Johannesburg (South Africa). Both Ghana and Uganda now serve as models in the United Way system for programmatic impact and indigenous philanthropy.

She has worked extensively in the West African country of Ghana since 1992 making over 50 trips, and began working in South Africa in 2002 making over 16 visits in five years. In 2003, she added to her portfolio, Swaziland and Nigeria and in 2004 added the East African countries of Uganda and Kenya. She has also worked in the Caribbean including the countries of Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago as well as the US Virgin Islands. Both domestic and international businesses as well as non-profit organizations (NGO’s) have benefited from Global Linkages expertise and synergy. She has worked in the areas of development including micro-businesses, gender issues, youth, health, housing and HIV AIDS. In 2003, Global Linkages, Inc. provided services to the Southern Africa USAID HIV AIDS offices to create partnerships with international organizations, resulting in the development of the first Sister City relationship with Swaziland and Ft. Worth, Texas, one of the United States best sister cities programs. Micro-finance partnerships with local entrepreneurs were also established as an outreach of these efforts.

Trade missions and study tours have served as the heart of Global Linkages, Inc. work connecting Americans with partnership opportunities that exist in Africa. Ms. Johnson has been responsible for the coordination of the two official state trade missions sponsored by the State of New Jersey in 1993 and in 2003 to Africa. She has also led both non-profits and businesses including the National Congress for Community Economic Development, and the Executive Leadership of United Way of America under the Chairmanship of Dr. Johnetta B. Cole (2006) to South Africa and Ghana. In September 2007, Global Linkages. Inc. coordinated a community development study tour to Ghana for two leading community development corporations, the Development Corporation of Columbia Heights and the Marshall Heights Community Development Organization, both of Washington, DC. Most recently, Global Linkages coordinated the partnership work of the Global Women Leadership Collaborative led by Newark City Council President, Mildred C. Crump to Ghana. With over 20 participants, over $150,000 worth of donations were made to ten (10) different partners in Ghana including the School for the Blind, the United Way Ghana, various schools and the City of Kumasi. All of these visits have resulted in continuous partnerships that Global Linkages. Inc. continue to assist and support.

Other recent clients have included the Garden State Bar Association (NJ) Johannesburg Child Welfare Society Community Technical Assistance, Inc., the AME Church, 14th District (West Africa), the Newark Assets Building Coalition, the United Ways of New York City and Essex and West Hudson, the Educational Law Center, the Harlem YMCA/YMCA USA, Citigroup, Guardian Insurance, York College- CUNY, the National Congress of Community Economic Development, the New Jersey Commission & Economic Growth Commission and a ten (10) year relationship with the New Jersey Performing Arts Center.

Global Linkages also works with faith –based organizations as well as emerging community based organizations and community development corporations. With an affinity for the arts, Global Linkages works with several arts organizations including the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) (10 years) and arts groups in New York City and Essex County. Other clients have included human and youth services agencies, colleges/universities, housing, economic development, health, organizations and two fortune 500 companies, and the State of New Jersey. Her work has focused in the New York/New Jersey Metropolitan area, Washington, DC, San Jose, California as well as Ghana, West and Southern Africa.

She previously served as the Director of Policy, Planning & Development for the City of East Orange, NJ (Deputy Mayor) and the President & CEO of the Urban League of Essex County (Newark). She has also served in many volunteer board leadership positions including currently on the New Jersey Public Policy Research Institute and the Deeply Rooted! Dance Company based in Chicago, Illinois and the Arts Conservatory in Essex County, NJ.

Ms. Johnson received her undergraduate degree from Adelphi University, Garden City, NY and her law degree from Rutgers University, School of Law-Newark where she also attended the Graduate School of Policy, Planning & Urban Development. Her continued education has included a summer at Harvard University Kennedy School of Government Program for Sr. Executives of State and Local Governments. She is the recipient of numerous awards and honors including in 2006, Business Woman of the Year by the Association of Black Women Lawyers of New Jersey.