CHICAGO (October 4, 2021) - Today, the Cristo Rey Network announced that non-profit and volunteer engagement strategist Teri Johnson has been appointed Vice President, Corporate Work Study. Johnson will provide leadership, vision, and strategic direction for the Cristo Rey movement’s globally recognized Corporate Work Study Program in 38 career-focused, college preparatory Catholic high schools.

Johnson joins the Cristo Rey Network with a notable professional background. She has built and mobilized strategic volunteer engagement programs nationally and globally for numerous institutions, including New York City’s Service Office, the State of Arizona, American Red Cross, Points of Light, and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS). In her various roles, Johnson has led training and consulting for staff and volunteers in areas of corporate development, volunteer accountability, and sales and business development. In partnership with Bridgespan, Johnson led organization-wide strategy development and change management for LLS. She brings a continuous focus on diversity, equity and inclusion, and is passionate about ensuring organizations are intentional about creating inclusive environments for all communities involved.

The role of Vice President, Corporate Work Study is a new position at the Cristo Rey Network national office to deepen the support provided to school leaders in realizing the vision and direct impact for the Corporate Work Study Program.

“Working with Heidrick & Struggles, we sourced a large, talented, and diverse candidate pool of experienced executive leaders from all over the country,” said Cristo Rey Network President and CEO Elizabeth Goettl. “Teri’s diverse skill set and demonstrated capacity to drive high-impact performance will help to maximize the financial sustainability of schools and the work-based learning experience for our students.”

Johnson will oversee the national office Corporate Work Study team, collaborating with each Cristo Rey school in business development efforts to procure job placements while strengthening the impact of CWSP for both students and Corporate Partners. To advance these priorities,  Johnson will lead robust professional development for 40+ Corporate Work Study Directors and 125+ Corporate Work Study Coordinators across the country, support the refinement and implementation of the workforce training curriculum, and identify new job leads with national and multi-city Corporate Partners. 

“The Corporate Work Study Program has long been the economic engine that drives this innovative approach to Catholic high schools,” shared Goettl. “The challenges which have emerged as a result of the pandemic have expanded schools’ needs.”

Pre-COVID, Cristo Rey students earned $80 million towards the cost of their own education through the Corporate Work Study Program. Due to pandemic conditions, many students are not deployed in a job placement onsite or remotely, resulting in a decline of Corporate Work Study Program earnings.

“Teri brings a collegial, team-building style with a proven ability to lead and motivate staff and leadership to implement best practices,” said Goettl. “Her leadership will strengthen the capacity of our Corporate Work Study Program in established and future Cristo Rey schools - all to develop in students their God-given potential to achieve their aspirations for success.”

Johnson holds a Bachelor’s degree in Speech Communication from George Mason University. Though she has lived in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Virginia, North Carolina, California, and Connecticut, she now calls San Antonio, Texas home.