Dr. Ralph “RJ” Johnson is a nationally recognized leader, educator, and practitioner in public administration, nonprofit management, and human resource administration. He currently serves as the National First Vice President of the National Pan-Hellenic Council, Inc. (Divine Nine), where he oversees international operations for more than 350 councils and spearheads governance, compliance, and strategic initiatives that strengthen the impact of the Council globally. In his professional capacity, Dr. Johnson is the Director of Council Affairs for the Shreveport City Council, working daily at the intersection of policy, governance, and community engagement. He has been instrumental in legislative strategy, stakeholder relations, and operational improvements that enhance public service delivery. Beyond government service, Dr. Johnson is deeply committed to advancing nonprofit excellence. He is the President & Executive Director of the Red River Education & Empowerment Foundation and the President & Board Chairman of the Divine Works Foundation, where he leads efforts in education, civic engagement, and community development. He has successfully managed more than $2.5 million in grants, directed a $3 million capital campaign for the Girl Scouts, and created programs that expand access to education, workforce opportunities, and civic participation. His leadership includes serving as Chief Volunteer Officer (Board Chair) of The Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club of Shreveport and Secretary of the Board of Goodwill Industries of North Louisiana, where he was recognized as Board Member of the Year. Dr. Johnson also plays a prominent role in professional and academic communities. He is Chair-Elect of the Section on Professional and Organizational Development for the American Society of Public Administrators (ASPA) and serves as Parliamentarian of the Conference of Minority Public Administrators (COMPA). Internationally, he has held leadership positions with the World Federation of United Nations Associations (WFUNA), where he was the first American elected to its Youth Advisory Council, culminating in service as Chair, and with the United Nations Association of the United States of America (UNA-USA), where he concluded his tenure as National Vice Chair. As an educator, Dr. Johnson is an Adjunct Professor at Louisiana State University–Shreveport, teaching graduate-level courses in nonprofit human resource administration. He integrates real-world experience into his instruction, emphasizing governance, compliance, and organizational strategy. He is also a CARF Surveyor, ensuring health and human service organizations meet the highest accreditation and compliance standards. Dr. Johnson is a proud member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. and Alpha Phi Omega National Service Fraternity, reflecting his lifelong commitment to service and achievement. An honorary initiate of Order of Omega, he has championed leadership development and service among collegiates nationwide. A 40 Under 40 honoree and graduate of the Greater Shreveport Chamber Leadership Program, Dr. Johnson’s academic background includes dual bachelor’s degrees in Sociology and Political Science from Louisiana State University, a Master in Business Administration, a Master in Public Administration, and a Ph.D. in Public Policy from Southern University. He is professionally certified as both a SHRM-Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) and a Professional in Human Resources (PHR). Dr. Johnson is driven by his objective: “to serve my community in pursuing achievement in every field of human endeavor.”

Yeobin Yoon is a Doctoral candidate in Public Administration at the School of Public Affairs, Pennsylvania State University – Harrisburg. She holds an M.P.P. in Public Policy from Seoul National University, South Korea and dual bachelor’s degrees in Economics and American Culture from Sogang University, South Korea. Her research focuses on collaborative governance, organizational behavior, and performance management, with an emphasis on how inter-organizational collaboration can address complex policy challenges. She has presented her work at major conferences, including ASPA, PMRC, MPSA, and NECoPA, and has published in the Asian Journal of Political Science. Beyond her research, Yeobin has served in various leadership roles, including President of the Public Administration Doctoral Student Organization and Board Member of the ASPA Keystone State Chapter. She brings both international and cross-sector experience, having worked with government agencies, NGOs, and academic institutions in South Korea before pursuing her doctoral studies in the United States.