Director seeks to transform addiction treatment
The Question and Answer feature helps readers learn more about prominent people in the business community. This issue’s Q&A profilesMonique Johnson,the new executive director of Face It Together Sioux Falls.
Q:How did you become interested in your field?
A: “After being a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) volunteer with Seward County CASA in Nebraska, I was hired as the director of that nonprofit. This was my first job in the nonprofit sector. After that, I was hooked and have continued to work in the nonprofit sector for the past 15 years.”
Q:What attracted you to your new role at Face It Together?
A: “The ability to transform the way Sioux Falls and the nation understands and treats drug and alcohol addiction. And one way I can do that as executive director is to ensure that our staff and volunteers have the tools, resources and support they need to build a culture of addiction wellness in Sioux Falls and to provide free addiction management services to help Sioux Falls’ individuals and families stay well from the chronic disease of addiction.”
Q:Do you have a charity or organization that’s especially close to your heart?
A: “CASA and now Face It Together Sioux Falls.”
Q:What has been your most rewarding experience in the past year?
A: “Being part of a community organization, the Atkinson Community Foundation Fund in Nebraska, that applied for a challenge grant that awards $100,000 to the organization if they raise $200,000. We were awarded that opportunity after a vigorous application process.”
Q:What are you most looking forward to about living in Sioux Falls?
A: “Spending time with my daughter and her family.”
The Johnson file
» Name: Monique Johnson
» Title: Executive director at Face It Together Sioux Falls
» Hometown: Born in Colorado Springs, Colo.; as part of a military family, lived in various places until the fourth grade when the family moved to Atkinson, Neb.
» Age: 51
» Background: Has established and led a number of nonprofits, including the Wyoming 2-1-1 helpline in Cheyenne, Seward County (Neb.) Pretrial Diversion and Seward County CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates); most recently served as marketing director and foundation executive director for West Holt Medical Services in Atkinson
» Family: Daughter and son-in-law; mother and siblings in Nebraska; dog and horse
» Interests and hobbies: Horses, volunteering