Melanie Johnson, Ed.D.

As a nonprofit leader and change agent, Dr. Melanie Johnson has been behind bringing Houston’s key icons, such as space and medicine, to a level of understanding for the area’s children and adults. As the previous Director of Education for NASA’s Space Center Houston, Dr. Johnson was the critical leadership who transformed education into an industry that was easily and effectively understood for the next generation of scientists and engineers. After being appointed the President and CEO of the John P. McGovern Museum of Health and Medical Science (The Health Museum), she significantly improved the revenue of the museum. The museum became so established as a result of her leadership that it was named a Smithsonian Affiliate. Dr. Johnson was named ABC’s 13 Woman of the Week and led the first nonprofit business to achieve Houston Business Journal’s Diversity award. Her passion and commitment next led her to Houston’s earliest learners. She was appointed President and CEO of Collaborative for Children in 2018. The agency focuses on improving the quality of education for children ages 0-5. She has led the team to place more than 10,000 children in high-quality child care centers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Johnson serves on the Foundation Board of Directors for Texas Southern University and University of North Texas’ Library Board. She was recently appointed as a Texas Commissioner for Animal Health. She holds a B.A. from Auburn University, a Masters from the University of Houston and a doctorate in Education from Texas Southern University in Houston.