The New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants (NJCPA) has named Aiysha (AJ) Johnson its next CEO and executive director. She will replace Ralph Albert Thomas, CPA (DC), CGMA, who is retiring June 30 after more than 23 years leading the organization.

Johnson will bring a wealth of association management experience to the NJCPA as she transitions from her role as executive director of BKR International’s Americas Region where she was responsible for overseeing the implementation of all strategic efforts for BKR accounting and business advisory member firms in the United States, Canada, Latin America and the Caribbean. She has more than 20 years of experience working for nonprofits, including professional and trade associations, building strategic partnerships and developing member value strategies.

Prior to BKR, Johnson held various leadership positions including director of brand experience and marketing. She also worked at Vizient, the nation’s largest healthcare performance improvement company, supporting members with complex benchmarking needs. Throughout her career, she has organized meetings domestically and internationally, convened CEO roundtables, and led organizational change and governance efforts, technological transformation and member development.

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Aiysha Johnson.

“It is an honor to continue to support the profession and build upon the amazing success of my predecessor. My experience at BKR International has equipped me with the knowledge to understand current challenges facing the profession globally,” said Johnson. “The NJCPA remains strongly positioned to support CPAs and accounting professionals. I look forward to working closely with constituents and our members to ensure that their needs are represented and addressed.”

“We could not be more excited to have AJ at the helm. She is well-versed in the accounting profession globally and in New Jersey,” said Kathleen F. Powers, CPA, CGMA, chief financial officer at Chelsea Senior Living and the 2022/23 president of the NJCPA. “She is knowledgeable about how CPAs can strengthen their organizations and personal brands.”

Johnson recently served on the University of Chicago’s Alumni Board, and previously served as the vice president and director-at-large of the Chicago Women’s Alliance. She has volunteered as a professional coach for students in the college and was the Crown Family School’s New York Alumni Regional Chair.

She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Health Education and Promotion at Western Illinois University and a Master of Arts degree at the Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy and Practice at the University of Chicago. She also completed the Global Senior Management Program at the University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business and the IE School of Business (Madrid). In addition, she completed the American Institute of CPAs Data Analytics Executive Program. She lives in Jersey City.