Courageous leadership and consistent action: a Carey student’s recipe for change

The Johns Hopkins legacy is familiar to world-changers. Johns Hopkins Carey Business School attracts those world-changers whose boundless curiosity and relentless advancement are driven by unwavering humanity. Such is the case with ROMBA Fellow MoAndra Johnson (MBA ’26) who works at the intersection of mental health, human sexuality, and DEI and is using her education to dismantle systemic barriers and create spaces where marginalized communities can thrive.

“I am deeply committed to advocating for marginalized groups and addressing the oppressive systems that impact so many individuals,” said Johnson, who represented Carey as a moderator at this year’s Reaching Out MBA conference. 

ROMBA exists to increase the influence of the LGBTQ+ community in business by educating, inspiring, and connecting MBA students and alumni. Johnson moderated the opening keynote panel, which focused on the unique challenges facing the LGBTQ+ community in light of recent policy shifts in some states that have removed DEI programs from public institutions and workplaces. The panel explored how these changes impact a queer person’s ability to show up authentically in both personal and professional spaces.

Policy shifts that limit DEI initiatives and erode safe spaces for LGBTQ+ individuals force many to engage in “covering behaviors,” explained Johnson. Those behaviors are meant to hide parts of their identity to avoid discrimination but ultimately stifle creativity, productivity, and personal fulfillment.

“Our goal was to provide insights and actionable steps for individuals and allies to advocate for LGBTQ+ rights amidst these challenges,” said Johnson.

One key insight was the power of intersectionality—understanding that advocacy is most impactful when it recognizes and addresses the overlapping ways an individual’s identity may be socially stigmatized. Panelists emphasized building coalitions across marginalized groups to amplify collective voices and influence policy at local and national levels.

Actionable steps included not just showing up as allies in visible ways, but also leveraging privilege to disrupt harmful systems. For example, individuals were encouraged to advocate for sustained DEI initiatives within their workplaces, champion LGBTQ+ colleagues to support their professional growth, and engage in targeted community outreach.

Johnson said, “The overarching takeaway was clear: meaningful change requires both courageous leadership and consistent action.”

Consistent action

Consistency is certainly part of Johnson’s approach to her goal of creating inclusive spaces where everyone can thrive. For more than five years, she has built a sexual wellness business that includes an online store and a podcast that has been featured in Bustle, Buzzfeed, and local print outlets. Johnson, who has an MA in Couples and Family Therapy, also currently works as a sex and relationship therapist.

Johnson will complete her MBA at Carey in 2026 and her PhD in Human Sexuality at the California Institute of Integral Studies shortly thereafter. These degrees will help her to expand her small business and launch a virtual therapy practice and consulting firm that offers culturally affirming psychotherapy and wellness services.

“Carey has expanded my professional network and given me access to opportunities like the ROMBA Fellowship, which has been instrumental in connecting me with inspiring leaders across industries,” said Johnson. “The school's emphasis on humanity and curiosity aligns perfectly with my personal values and has helped me refine my approach to leadership and advocacy.”