Ishan Johnson (CFA’06)

Ishan Johnson, CFRE (he/him), is Director of Individual Giving at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago. Previously, he served as Chief Philanthropy Officer at the Boston Lyric Opera, where he led the organization’s first infrastructure campaign and increased annual giving by 15% year over year. He has also held philanthropy roles with the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago Opera Theater, and Chicago History Museum.

A sought-after speaker and moderator, Ishan has appeared on panels and presented with organizations including the National Alliance for Musical Theatre, AFP Chicago, AFP Massachusetts, Boston University, the Philanthropy Club of Chicago, the University Club of Chicago, Easterseals, Grantmakers Association of America, and the Arts Club of Chicago. Most recently, he served as a mentor for the inaugural Opera Leaders of Color Mentorship Program with Opera America.

Ishan earned a degree in Vocal Performance 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, he later served on the chapter’s Board of Directors. He is also an alumnus of the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation, a member of the Arts Club of Chicago, and serves on the Boston University Alumni Council. He earned his CFRE (Certified Fund Raising Executive) credential in 2022.