MILWAUKEE, Wis. (Jan. 31, 2019) – The membership of Professional Dimensions recently approved the elevation of the organization’s staff leadership position from Director of Operations to Chief Executive Officer, and named Johannah Karstedt St. John as its first CEO.

Karstedt St. John has served as the organization’s Director of Operations since 2017, and has played a key role in professionalizing the office, growing and strengthening its membership, and providing a consistent leadership presence. Emily Phillips, President of the Board of Professional Dimensions stated “this move is not only a recognition of Johannah’s contributions, but an important step in setting a foundation from which we can grow and realize our potential as an organization of inclusive women leaders, using our power to help each other and advance our community.”

Professional Dimensions is celebrating its 40th year, and is looking to position itself as being vibrant, vital and visible for the next 40 years. “Elevating this role to a CEO is an important signal to the community that Professional Dimensions is strengthening its presence as a thought leader in the business and philanthropic community,” says Phillips. The organization is looking to raise awareness and advance efforts in the area of inclusion and diversity, in particular. Professional Dimensions recently elected its most diverse Board of Directors in its 40-year history and hosted a summit on inclusive leadership on January 23rd, raising awareness and educating the community on inclusive work cultures in which diversity can thrive.

The CEO position creates more depth and continuity in the partnership between the Board of Directors and the office. Karstedt St. John commented that “Board terms are two years and our presidency term is one year. As we’re transitioning from leader to leader, achieving our strategic objectives requires the consistent presence of an executive level staff person.” In addition, “with a growing membership body that is connected 24/7 and an ambitious vision for the future, we could no longer rely only on a volunteer board and an administrative staff role.”

About Professional Dimensions
Founded in 1978 and celebrating its 40th anniversary, Professional Dimensions is a membership organization of more than 400 inclusive women leaders who use their collective power to help each other and advance the community. Guided by the four tenets of Leadership, Diversity, Community and Networking, Professional Dimensions cultivates relationships between women of all backgrounds, ages, industries and experience levels. More information can be found at www.professionaldimensions.org.