Emily Johannes has built a career at the intersection of agriculture, sustainability and leadership, championing the transformation of complex systems into actionable progress. As director of partnership development at Farm Journal Inc., she connects producers with key players across the agricultural value chain to drive scalable solutions in conservation and profitability. She focuses on making sustainable practices more accessible for farmers by fostering strategic collaboration and simplifying the adoption of new technologies. She leads efforts that leverage farmer-generated data to refine content development, improve information access and forecast industry trends.
Ms. Johannes’ academic foundation formed her passion-driven approach to environmental and agricultural systems. She holds a Master of Science in ecology and evolution from the University of Pittsburgh, following a Bachelor of Arts in zoology from Miami University. She is pursuing a postgraduate certificate in food marketing at the Haub School of Business at Saint Joseph’s University and completed the International Executive Program on Sustainable Sourcing and Trade at the International Trade Centre. Her academic and professional experiences together inform her deep understanding of both environmental science and the economic forces shaping today’s food systems.
Ms. Johannes’ professional journey spans multiple sectors, each chapter reflecting a consistent commitment to responsible sourcing and environmental stewardship. She owned and operated the Anchor Inn Boutique Hotel in Put-In-Bay, Ohio, where she brought hospitality and sustainability together in an entrepreneurial venture. At Nestlé, she held several senior roles, including director of sustainability and recycling, senior manager of sustainable sourcing and category manager of ethical sourcing. Her work there focused on reducing emissions, conserving water and ensuring ethical supply chain practices.
Ms. Johannes further advanced sustainability efforts during her tenure at Pinion Global, KCoe Isom LLP, working as the principal and director of supply chain sustainability services. She led initiatives in the food and beverage market that emphasized transparency and accountability across production systems. Earlier in her career, she gained federal agency experience with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration as a senior environmental technical adviser and a National Environmental Policy Act specialist. She also held positions as a science and policy analyst at The Clark Group LLC and as an environmental protection specialist at Michael Baker Jr. Her career began with hands-on conservation as an aquatic ecologist at The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy.
In addition to her professional commitments, Ms. Johannes contributes to broader environmental and social causes. She is a board member and chair of the Ecosystem Services Market Consortium and was a director at Circular Action Alliance. Her volunteerism includes support for Saving Promise, the Humane Society and the United Way. Recognition for her work includes an award for learning and development from the Leadership Academy at Pinion Global.
Ms. Johannes credits her success to the encouragement of mentors, friends and colleagues who challenged her to lead with curiosity and purpose. A pivotal moment in her career came from a project opportunity introduced by mentor Laura Sand, which steered her toward agriculture and ultimately to the role she holds today. Whether developing national programs or running a local boutique hotel, she brings vision and dedication to every endeavor. She is passionate about empowering partners to meet their climate goals and looks ahead to continued work that helps shape a more sustainable and resilient agricultural future.