Dian Johnson Harrison

Business Instructor and Advisor at Uptima Entrepreneur Cooperative of a cooperative that educates and advises BIPOC and other entrepreneurs in a holistic and culturally relevant manner that gives them the tools and support to build financial sustainability and personal success, while creating positive social, environmental, and economic impact. Developed the Success Coaching Program for Online MPA students at the University of Southern California, served as Cohort Coach and led the coaching program. Taught and co-taught various graduate level courses in public administration and non-profit philanthropy, management and leadership, behavior in public and non-profit organizations, intersectional community partnerships and collaboration and the internship seminar for students with less than five-years professional experience, to ready them with the skills to effectively enter a career in public administration. Visionary non-profit executive with almost 40 - years’ experience managing dynamic, multicultural, culturally competent organizations that have a key focus on supporting medically underserved communities dealing with known health care disparities such as a lack of access to reproductive health care, heart disease, hypertension, asthma, and other diseases related to lifestyle choices and/or the environment. Nationally recognized leadership in advancing higher education, social awareness, and healthcare access, through innovative policy, programming, and strategic operational management. A non-profit leader with an outstanding record of developing, inspiring, and directing professional teams to reach well-defined, strategic goals and possessing strong communication and coalition-building skills. Have the passion, knowledge, and savvy to influence decision makers and funders in all sectors, from local communities to the international arena.

• American Society for Public Administration
• Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management
• Forum of Black Public Administrators
• National Association of Social Workers
• American Association of University Women
• International Aids Society
• Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

• Uptima Entrepreneur Cooperative, Leading a Business (management and leadership), Sales Essentials, Know Your Numbers, Created 12-week curriculum to onboard new instructors covering areas of Pedagogy, Adult Learning Theory (Andragogy), Learned Helplessness, Experiential Teaching, teaching a Growth Mindset, Business/Organizational Culture and developing Learning Theory.
• University of Southern California, Internship Seminar, The Nonprofit Sector and Philanthropy, Public Administration and Society, Fund Development for Nonprofit Organizations, Intersectoral Leadership, Human Behavior in Public Organizations

• The business instructor and advisor provided the opportunity to redefine how business support is offered, particularly to the BIPOC community. Understanding that entrepreneurship training and advising form the economic infrastructure that should genuinely support diverse entrepreneurs in building resilient, thriving businesses, enabling them to make a sustainable living and contribute to their communities.
• Taught graduate students at the University of Southern California Online master’s in public administration.
• Created and lead the Cohort Coaching project for new graduate students.
• Served as President and CEO of the newly formed organization, Planned Parenthood Golden Gate (PPGG), after successfully leading the strategic merger of three SF Bay Area Planned Parenthood Federation affiliates, with a combined budget of approximately $24M.
• Built PPGG into one of the nation’s largest affiliates, providing over 60,000 Bay Area residents with high-quality health care services through eight health centers, multiple satellite clinics, education workshops and outreach, supported by highly skilled staff and medical professionals.
• Stabilized and strengthened organizational systems through a multi-phase “reinvention” project, designing a collaborative process that unified staff and the Board of Trustees under the same vision. Positioned organization to win national Recognition for Excellence in Media and Public Relations and clinical service expansion and outreach for the development of a program that developed a holistic approach to the provision of health care for medically underserved communities, including case management and primary health care.
• Directed the start-up of the Santa Clara Valley Urban League, focusing on job training and employment, education, advocacy and care for the elderly and children; housing and transportation, and ensured that the region’s economic development included equal opportunity and parity for African Americans and other ethnic minorities.

• Directed all operations of PPGG and its 200 + staff with responsibility for medical services, education, advocacy, administration, public affairs, and outreach to six counties. Effectively enacted Board policies through innovative programs that advanced the organizational mission, including the community-based program Women First.
• Ensured sustainability of the highest level of effectiveness, quality of service, and efficiency by successfully managing all internal organizational systems. Formulated and implemented human resources policies and practices consistent with organizational values, as well as state and federal employment law.
• Solid experience in quantifying and measuring organizational performance. Skilled in establishing a supportive and nurturing culture, that values trusted relationships and a creative environment consistent with a high-level mission.

• Accountable for the fiscal health of several organizations, with the largest (PPGG) having an annual budget of $24M. Identified and obtained key sources of public and private funding, thus raising $4-6M/year to supplement educational and medical services to underserved communities.
• Increased the operating budget of the Austin Area Urban League from $400,000 to $1.2M thus allowing the organization to implement additional programs on job training and employment, housing counseling programs, and after school programs for high-risk youth.
• Demonstrated experience with budgeting and financial management at the highest organizational levels. As Assistant Director of Finance and Administration for the City of San Jose Redevelopment Agency, assisted in managing and directing the Agency’s budget ($24M), and financial reporting, accounts payable and receivable, business development agreements monitoring, and contracts management.

• Planning and implementing Lobby Day for Farwest Region - Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. in Washington, DC (2019) and California (2021)
• Built creative alliances and coalitions with other influential leaders in business, the non-profit sector, government, academia, and the community-at-large, to advance organizational programs, visibility, and social equity.
• Served as primary spokesperson in furthering organizational mission and visibility through media outreach, public forums, and conferences, proactive grassroots advocacy, and regularly scheduled lobbying at the state and federal levels.
• Regularly involved in the local, national, and international dialogue of key issues that impact women and girls. Included were global forums (UN Commission on the Status of Women) on major health initiatives and their influence on gender empowerment.

• Developed global partnership with one of the largest Christian Churches in Ethiopia, that dramatically improved community health outcomes, by strengthening gender development and women’s empowerment initiatives. This program impacted 1300 communities of various sizes.
• Provided major funding for the Health Extension Worker Program that raised awareness and support for the Maternity Waiting Village and access to health care in Hosanna, Ethiopia, ensuring that women had a safe place to deliver their babies and receive the care they deserve.
• Provided technical assistance, training, and educational materials to assist in the expansion of the Youth Friendly Services Program, designed to proactively increase awareness of HIV/AIDS.
• Shared research and experiences through presentations delivered at the US AIDS Conference in New Orleans, the International AIDS Conference in Bangkok, American Public Health Association in Philadelphia, AIDS Impact Conference, and Ethics in Africa Cape Town, South Africa, and the 18th World Congress World Association of Sexual Health in Sydney, Australia.

• 2016, Sol Price School Online MPA “Mentor of the Year”
• 2008, Woman of the Year, 18th Assembly District of California
• 2008, A Voice of Courage Award, Women of Color Action Network
• 2007, Listed in Honors Edition of Cambridge Who’s Who – Empowering Executives, Professionals & Entrepreneurs Around the Globe
• 2007, Circle of Courage Award, Women’s Intercultural Network
• 2007, Local Leader for Black History Month, KGO-TV (ABC Affiliate)
• 2006, Outstanding Local Hero for Women’s History Month, KQED (PBS Affiliate)
• 2005, Most Influential Women in Business, San Francisco Business Times
• 2005, Sabbatical Award, California Wellness Foundation
• 2003, Distinguished Service Award, Health Initiatives for Youth
• 1998, Agency Professional Volunteer Award, Bay Area United Way
• 1997, Outstanding Leadership and Service Award, Black Women Organized for Political Action
• 1996, Women of Color Inspiration Award, National Women’s Political Caucus, Western Region
• 1996, Woman of the Year, National Women’s Political Caucus of San Mateo County

• 2021-01-01, 2023-12-31, Business Instructor and Advisor, Uptima Entrepreneur Cooperative, Oakland, CA
• 2020-01-01, 2021-12-31, Adjunct Associate Professor, Sol Price School of Public Policy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
• 2021-01-01, 2021-12-31, Strategic Planning Consultant, Peralta Community College District
• 2017-01-01, 2019-12-31, Lead Cohort Coach/Adjunct Associate Professor, Sol Price School of Public Policy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
• 2014-01-01, 2017-12-31, Faculty Cohort Coach/Instructor, Sol Price School of Public Policy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA

• Senior Fellow American Leadership Forum, Silicon Valley
• Leadership California
• Leadership Texas
• Leadership Austin
• Leadership Nashville

• Progressive Transitions (Domestic Violence Prevention Program), Board of Directors and Board President
• Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Chapter President, Vice President and President, Co-Chair NCCC Founders Day (2014) and Chair of International Awareness Committee, Leadership Academy Co-Chair and Northern California Social Action Chair, Farwest Region Board Member and Vice President of Governance
• Oakland East Bay Symphony, Board Member and Vice President of Governance
• San Francisco Black Coalition on AIDS, Board President
• California Women’s Intercultural Network, Board Co-Chair
• Black Women Organized for Political Action Oakland, Member
• Calypte Biomedical Corporation, Former Board Member
• Sequoia Hospital, Former Community Advisory Board Member