Dr. Olenda E. Johnson is a native of Cheyenne, Wyoming. A passionate educator, she is a senior faculty member (full professor) at the U.S. Naval War College (NWC) – a premiere institution that prepares military and civilian leaders to address current and future global security challenges at the strategic level. Dr. Johnson is a recognized expert within professional military education and the architect of the U.S. Navy’s first leader development course for Navy admirals – a barrier-breaking effort that fundamentally changed the Navy’s institutional culture toward learning and education for its senior-most leaders. Olenda earned her Ph.D. in Organizational Behavior from the University of Pittsburgh, and both a B. S. and MBA from Florida A&M University. Prior to joining NWC, Dr. Johnson was a tenured professor at North Carolina A&T State University. She held faculty appointments at the U.S. Army War College and U.S. Air Force Academy, serving as Visiting Professor and Distinguished Visiting Professor respectively. Her adjunct appointments include the Wellington School of Business & Government, New Zealand and Bentley University in Waltham, MA. Olenda is a recipient of multiple honors to include the Army Commander’s Medal for Public Service and the University of North Carolina (UNC) Board of Governors’ Excellence in Teaching Award, the highest teaching honor bestowed upon faculty in the UNC system. She was also honored by the Muhammad Ali Center as one of its Daughters of Greatness. Olenda serves on the non-profit boards of Generation W (chair) and the Linden Place Historic Estate Museum. Indeed, Olenda finds the greatest joy in serving others – whether professionally, within her faith community, or among family and friends.