La’Nita Johnson

American University, Masters in International Training and Education

La’Nita Johnson is a native of Powder Springs, Georgia but was raised as a citizen of the world. She completed her undergraduate studies at Pepperdine University, where she earned two Bachelors of Arts degrees in Hispanic Studies and International Studies, with a specialization in Intercultural Communications. While completing a study abroad program in Buenos Aires, Argentina, La’Nita had the unique opportunity to work as a freelance journalist for the ADN Agua y Medioambiente Magazine. Throughout college, La’Nita was also the Program Coordinator for an ESL program at the Malibu Labor Exchange, leading Pepperdine students in language teaching with the Hispanic day-laborer population. Upon graduation, La’Nita sought to influence intercultural communication gaps in the corporate sector. Thus, she joined the Commercial Leadership Program at GE Capital, and later went on to be a District Sales Leader at Frito-Lay North America. After a near death experience during an armed terrorist attack while on a mission trip to Burkina Faso in 2016, she decided to propel her love for public service by pursuing a Master’s in International Training and Education at American University. She is excited to join the 2017 cohort of Donald M. Payne International Fellows and strives to spark change within educational diplomacy as USAID Foreign Service Officer. Some of La’Nita’s hobbies include: learning foreign languages, brunching, doing Zumba, and jet-setting across the globe. La’Nita has travelled to over 20 countries and can’t wait to add to the list!