Ishan Johnson (CFA’06)

Ishan Johnson, CFRE (he/him) is the Chief Philanthropy Advisor for Boston Lyric Opera. Most recently, he served as Associate Director, Philanthropy for the Art Institute of Chicago. While there, Ishan led with empathy and equity as he strengthened relationships with key museum donors. Previously, Ishan was Associate Director of Development for Chicago Opera Theater, where he oversaw individual & planned giving, special events, and the organization’s first-ever endowment campaign.

A sought-after speaker and moderator, Ishan has been featured on panels with the National Alliance for Musical Theatre, AFP Chicago, Boston University, the Philanthropy Club of Chicago, University Club of Chicago, Easterseals, Chicago Opera Theater, Grantmakers Association of America, and the Arts Club of Chicago. Most recently, he served as a mentor in the inaugural Opera Leaders of Color Mentorship Program with Opera America. Ishan holds a Vocal Performance degree from Boston University, and maintained a professional career as an opera singer for more than a decade. A graduate of the AFP Chicago Fellows program, Ishan proudly served on the chapter’s Board of Directors as Vice-President of Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access. He’s an alumnus of the Coca-Cola Scholars Program, a Junior Member of the Arts Club of Chicago, and obtained his CFRE (Certified Fund Raising Executive) certification in 2022.