Forty Under 40: Kate Johnson

Growing up, Kate Johnson had a plaque in her bedroom that said “Girls Can Do Anything.”

“So I’ve always believed I could do anything I put my mind to, which has turned into a fearless abandon,” she said.

Her resume reflects that philosophy.

After earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Arkansas, the Fayetteville native had a career as a tennis pro. She returned to Fayetteville in 2001, earning a law degree in 2005.

Johnson went straight into a job in Wal-Mart Stores Inc.’s legal department. Then in 2009 came the opportunity to head the Clinton House Museum.

The career change was an “easy and almost effortless” transition, Johnson said, since she comes from a politically active family.

“Growing up in Arkansas, I experienced all the changes [President] Clinton made while in office, and I enjoy getting to meet people from all over the state, nation and other countries and share with them the difference he made and how it relates to things now.”

She began a doctoral program in museum studies this summer at Northwestern University, and enjoys mentoring high school students in leadership through the Hugh O’Brian Youth Foundation.

“You just have to have faith in yourself and almost an ability to think that you can do anything,” she said.

“The more I can learn about things, that’s what motivates me.”