Fay M. Johnson

A humanitarian at heart and entrepreneur by nature, Fay M. Johnson is the new breed of change maker—one who believes we can live well while also doing good. A child of two realities—born in Apartheid South Africa and raised in Silicon Valley during the dot.com boom—Fay integrates her commitment for social change with the belief that business can and should create positive change.

For too long, social activism has been represented by those who choose to opt-out of the system. Fay brings a fresh perspective that encourages people to opt-in—for good labor practices, environmental stewardship, human rights, and other pressing issues. Fay understands that each decision we make can lead to a better world, but those decisions don’t need to be in favor of austerity or against comfort. Her mission is to share this empowering belief so that others can join in the movement to build a better tomorrow.

Fay's last entrepreneurial endeavor, deliberateLIFE, promoted living a more ethical and sustainable life, with ease and style. The company published deliberateLIFE Magazine, a digital lifestyle magazine designed and edited by Fay. deliberateLIFE provided information, products, and off-line events to make a sustainable, healthy, mindful lifestyle easier. The magazine won readers in 52 countries, with praise that it was the Martha Stewart Living for a new generation. Fay led a team of eight and serves as the CEO and Editor-in-Chief. Fay continues her entrepreneurial endeavors, collaborating with other socially-minded individuals on new products and services. (New project in the works).

In 2015 Fay founded a national dinner series (Deliberate Discourse), which brings neighbors and friends around the dinner table to discuss race and identity in America. Fay designed the unique, introspective, and empathy-building experience, and has personally facilitated dinners in 11 cities across the U.S. Since, she has been invited to train others on how to effectively host their own dinners, expanding this work to more than 200 homes.

The daughter of two social entrepreneurs, she spent much of her childhood traveling, visiting over 26 countries before she graduated from high school. These experiences embedded the deep belief that we are all part of one large global village. Fay has lived and worked in Hungary, India, Ethiopia, Kenya, the United States and South Africa.

Fay also consults to influencers, businesses, governments, and non-profits on how to leverage their resources effectively to create change. Catch some of Fay's thoughts on HuffingtonPostFastCompany, or Inc.com.