Dr. Nikita Johnson-White

Chief Financial Officer

About ¨C Dr. Nikita Johnson White

Dr. Nikita Johnson-White graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with an undergraduate degree in Accounting in May of 1999. She later became a Certified Public Accountant and received a Master’s in Business Administration from DePaul University as well as a Doctorate of Educational Leadership from National Louis University.

She joined ºÚÁÏÍø±¬³Ô¹Ï in 2023 and is currently the Chief Financial Officer and looking forward to leading ºÚÁÏÍø±¬³Ô¹Ï through its financial sustainability initiatives. She brings with her a strong financial and educational background. She has worked in numerous areas of accounting, finance and operations in both the educational sector, non-profit sector and as a field auditor. She has held various roles including Assistant Superintendent for Finance & Operations, Chief Financial Officer, and recently served as the Chief Education Officer at Asian Human Services Passages Charter School, leading an organization whose mission is to support immigrants and refugees in becoming productive members of our communities.

Why do you work at ºÚÁÏÍø±¬³Ô¹Ï?

I work at ºÚÁÏÍø±¬³Ô¹Ï because ºÚÁÏÍø±¬³Ô¹Ï exemplifies excellence in everything that it sets out to do. ºÚÁÏÍø±¬³Ô¹Ï never settles for status quo.

Who was your favorite teacher while growing up?

Mr. Kunas (High School Math) – he was a math wiz and made learning fun for the students.

Favorite thing about ºÚÁÏÍø±¬³Ô¹Ï or favorite ºÚÁÏÍø±¬³Ô¹Ï moment?

My favorite thing about ºÚÁÏÍø±¬³Ô¹Ï is Summer of a Lifetime. The passion and intentionality that ºÚÁÏÍø±¬³Ô¹Ï has about students going to college is outstanding and speaks to a personal passion of mine.

What do you/your department do at ºÚÁÏÍø±¬³Ô¹Ï?

I lead a team of 10 staff members who handle the budgets, audits, purchasing and payables for all of ºÚÁÏÍø±¬³Ô¹Ï, including NST and campuses.

Start at ºÚÁÏÍø±¬³Ô¹Ï?

2023

Hometown:

Born in Chicago, but raised in the western suburbs (Bellwood, IL).

Education:

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (B.A.)
DePaul University (M.B.A.)
National Louis University (Ed.D.)