Yolanda F. Johnson

President of YFJ Consulting, Founder of Women of Color in Fundraising and Philanthropy President of Women In Development, New York Classically-trained opera singer.

About This Expert

Yolanda F. Johnson is a distinguished leader in the non-profit sector, serving as President of YFJ Consulting, LLC, Founder of Women of Color in Fundraising and Philanthropy® (WOC), and President of Women In Development (WID), New York. With over two decades of experience, she has spearheaded fundraising initiatives for numerous organizations, securing foundation, corporate, and government funding, and cultivating a diverse major gifts portfolio. Her innovative event, sponsorship, and marketing strategies have generated significant streams of both contributed and earned income.

Yolanda’s extensive career includes roles as an International Advisory Board member and former United Nations Representative for the Foundation for Post Conflict Development. She also holds board positions with Lehman College Art Gallery, Hudson River Museum, and PowHerNY. As the first African American President of WID, she co-established its Diversity and Inclusion Task Force, becoming a sought-after expert on DEI initiatives. Her insights are regularly featured at major events like Fundraising Day in New York, the Women’s Alliance National Conference, and CASE events.

A classically-trained opera singer, Yolanda has performed nationally and internationally across various musical genres, championing the works of women and composers of color. She is also the Worship Leader/Music Director at her church, a member of Sigma Alpha Iota International Women’s Music Fraternity, and an artist with Random Access Music/Queens New Music Festival and Westchester Chamber Soloists Orchestra. She holds a B.A. in Voice and an M.A. in Arts Administration, specializing in Fundraising and Events.

Yolanda’s unique workshop, All the World’s A Stage, merges her artistic and philanthropic expertise, using performance practice to teach effective fundraising and philanthropy techniques. She presents this workshop to audiences nationwide, tying her artistic life to her philanthropic efforts through events, projects, and special initiatives. Yolanda F. Johnson continues to inspire and educate, making significant contributions to the fields of arts and philanthropy.