Tawana Thomas Johnson

Tawana Thomas Johnson serves as the American Cancer Society’s senior vice president and chief diversity officer and is a member of the CEO’s executive team. She is passionate about advancing equity and helping people live healthier lives by developing and championing strategies on the journey to creating and maintaining an organizational culture in which diversity, equity, inclusion, and health equity are at the center.  

In this mission-critical role, Tawana leads the stand-alone Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion team and is responsible for inspiring and defining the organization’s diversity, equity (including health equity), and impact strategies. She has extensive experience and expertise in strategic planning and operations management, volunteer partnerships, and corporate development. Her leadership responsibilities also include the development and execution of the enterprise Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) strategy and performance reporting.

Since joining the American Cancer Society in 2006 as director of Health Disparities for the former South Atlantic Division, Tawana has led the development of community engagement strategies and initiatives to address the disproportionate burden of cancer in diverse and multicultural communities. Among these resources is the “More Than Conquerors” documentary, which features testimonies and interviews with cancer survivors, caregivers, physicians, and renowned clergy. Tawana served as executive producer for the documentary, which received national acclaim and premiered at the National Black Film Festival.

Tawana has successfully led the American Cancer Society in increasing workforce diversity at all levels of the organization with an emphasis on manager/leader levels, achieving pay parity, and significantly improving employee engagement around diversity, equity, and inclusion. To further enable the organization’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, she led the American Cancer Society in joining the CEO Action for Diversity and Inclusion movement led by PwC, which brings together more than 3,000 organizations committed to driving diversity and inclusion within their organizations. Under her leadership, the American Cancer Society was named to the 2024 Forbes List of America’s Best Employers for Diversity.

Tawana’s ongoing role also includes engaging corporate executives, high-level donors, and leadership volunteers in furthering the fight against cancer through mission support and resourcing. Under her leadership, the American Cancer Society has engaged with thousands of diverse volunteers, partners, and stakeholders to advance health equity.

Tawana holds leadership roles with national organizations including the African Heritage Studies Association, The Links, Incorporated, and the NAACP. She also serves on several boards, including the Oprah Winfrey Network OWN Your Health advisory board.