Age: 34
Occupation: CEO, Calgary Public Library Foundation
Between 2013 and 2019, Tracy Johnson worked her way up from the Calgary Public Library Foundation’s most junior position — campaign assistant — to CEO, a role she took on at the age of 29. As a young, female CEO, she has often been underestimated, but that just fuels her desire to prove those who doubt her wrong. “I’ve learned to lean into it a bit; I’ve sort of made it a game for myself,” she says.
The Foundation’s mission, Johnson says, is “to connect and inspire donors to support Calgary Public Library’s innovative and enhanced programs and services beyond [its] core funding.” Over the past decade, as Johnson advanced her career, donorship grew from 900 to more than 27,000 donors, raising more than $80 million.
Under her leadership, in 2023, the Foundation relaunched the Lit Gala, which has raised more than $600,000 for children’s library programming. That same year, Johnson oversaw the expansion of LibraryStore.ca — a fundraising e-commerce site — to an in-person, volunteer-run café at the Central Library that has since raised more than $23,000.
Funding from the Foundation supports Calgary Public Library as it seeks to expand and enhance its resources to meet the ever-changing needs of its 750,000-plus members. Johnson is particularly proud of the fully donor-funded Engine 23: A Ladder Up on Literacy initiative, which brought a decommissioned fire truck into the Fish Creek Library, where it serves as an interactive early learning centre for children.
Johnson believes she and her team are helping set the standard for what public libraries can achieve. Her leadership advice is fitting for someone at the helm of an organization based in a belief in what libraries offer their communities. “People are going to judge a book by its cover, but you have the potential to change minds,” she says.
Thank yous
“My parents, who followed their passions in life, making it easy for me to do the same; my friends and family who listen to, encourage and challenge me; and my team, both past and present — thank you for dreaming alongside me.”
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