Ariel Johnson
Executive Director
Ariel Johnson is the executive director of the DC Charter School Alliance, having previously served as chief of staff since December 2021. She brings more than a decade of distinguished service as the lead statewide advocate for charters and education reform in Illinois, a litigator for the Chicago Board of Education, and former teacher.
Ariel leverages her commitment to education equity to advocate for social justice initiatives and economic freedom for underserved communities. As the first in her family to obtain a degree from a four-year university, she is keenly aware that access to high-quality education can shift generational narratives. She brings strong policy, advocacy, community, and legal expertise to her work. She enjoys building diverse coalitions and directing strategies that impact education equity for all students.
Ariel began her career as a legal advocate for diverse learners adversely affected by the criminal justice system and school-to-prison pipeline. She served as legal counsel in a major school district before finding herself leading political and legislative advocacy efforts for charter public schools.
Ariel received her undergraduate degree from John Carroll University and her law degree from Loyola University Chicago School of Law. She was selected as a National Lawyers Guild Haywood Burns Memorial Fellow and a Surge Institute Fellow. She also serves on the board of the Sharper Moise Foundation, an organization dedicated to the professional development of educators and supporting students with dedicated wrap-around services both within and outside the schoolhouse.