Lisa Johnson, a Certified Public Accountant with extensive experience as an audit manager and a strong history of nonprofit service, will join Community Foundation of North Louisiana (CFNLA) as Chief Financial Officer in June 2026. Johnson comes to CFNLA from Centenary College of Louisiana’s Frost School of Business, where she currently serves as assistant professor of accounting, a position she has held since August 2022.
Early in her career, Johnson was an audit manager at KPMG, one of the “Big Four” accounting firms. She later spent more than 15 years as a senior audit manager with the Shreveport office of Carr, Riggs & Ingram, LLC, a nationally ranked accounting and advisory firm. During her time in public accounting, she performed and supervised annual audits and reviews across numerous industries, specializing in non-profit organizations and government entities.
Johnson also worked for almost 10 years as controller for the Biomedical Research Foundation (BRF) in Shreveport, where she managed all facets of accounting for $78 million in assets and oversaw the preparation and administration of a $12 million operating budget. Her responsibilities also included managing federal and state grants and preparing the organization’s 990 tax return, the required annual informational return filed by tax-exempt organizations to report financial information, activities, and mission to the IRS and the public.
Beyond her professional career, Johnson has demonstrated a deep commitment to community service. She served over 15 years on the Board of Directors for Shreveport’s historic Strand Theatre, holding leadership roles as treasurer, president, and immediate past president. She is also a member of the Louisiana Society of CPAs, serving on the Accounting Education Issues Committee and Financial Literacy Committee. At Centenary College, Johnson was instrumental in re-activating the College’s chapter of the national Omicron Delta Kappa leadership honor society and served as the group’s faculty advisor.
“Lisa brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to CFNLA from her work at BRF as well as nearly two decades as an auditor,” said Kristi Gustavson, CEO of CFNLA. “In addition to her skillset, Lisa has a heart for service and our community which makes her a perfect fit for CFNLA.”
Johnson earned both a bachelor’s degree in accounting and business and an MBA from Centenary College. She is a Certified Public Accountant licensed in Louisiana and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Society of Louisiana Certified Public Accountants. “I am honored to join the Community Foundation of North Louisiana as Chief Financial Officer and to support an organization whose mission and work deeply resonate with me,” said Johnson. “Throughout my career, I have seen how thoughtful financial strategy helps nonprofits expand their reach and better serve their communities. I am excited to work alongside the CFNLA team to uphold strong financial stewardship and create a positive impact across North Louisiana.”