Gail Coles Johnson

Chief Human Resources Officer
The Executive Leadership Council (ELC)

Gail Coles Johnson is the Chief Human Resources Officer of The Executive Leadership Council. Additionally, she serves as an Independent Board Director for Electronics For Imaging (EFI), a digital imaging technology company, becoming the first woman and first African American to serve on this corporate board.
Gail previously served in a variety of Global Executive roles at AT&T, including Operations, sales, and Marketing, before becoming AT&T’s Vice President of Human Resources in 2015. Her ability to effectively respond to global growth, market changes, and economic challenges made her a treasured resource and propelled her more than 30-year steadfast career with AT&T. She is credited with building effective enterprise-wide Leadership Development Programs and leading AT&T’s Summer Intern Program and strategic talent development partnerships including HBCUs (historically black colleges and universities), minority-serving institutions, women’s organizations, and diverse stakeholders. Under Gail’s leadership, AT&T was recognized as the #1 company in Mentoring programs by Diversity, Inc.
Gail is passionate about connecting talent with the right career opportunities and the community with corporate America. Her executive influence and communications serve as a foundation to her success on multiple boards including the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, the National Black MBA, the Virginia Commonwealth University Alumni Board, Links Foundation Board, Jack and Jill Foundation Board, Kappa Alpha Psi Foundation Board and NIH Advisory Council. She is a past member of the Bowie State University School of Business Advisory Board. She also is a lifetime member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority and a member of the Washington DC chapter of the Carousels. She is the immediate Past President of the Loudoun County Chapter of Girl Friends, Inc. She has served in various leadership roles in the Links, Inc including President, Eastern Area HBCU chair, Eastern Area Representative to the Foundation and served on the Links National Steering Committee.
Gail earned her bachelor’s degree from Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) where she co- founded the African American Alumni Mentoring Programs which was awarded the 2022 Gold Circle of Excellence Award by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education. She completed her Executive Education programs at Harvard Business School and Cornell University. She is a highly sought after speaker and facilitator for topics related to diversity and inclusion, innovation, workforce planning, generational mentoring, and Leadership Development.
Gail lives in Clarksville Maryland with her husband of 29 years Pastor Kevin Wayne Johnson. They have three adult sons, Kevin, Christopher and Cameron.
Gail Coles Johnson is the Chief Human Resources Officer of The Executive Leadership Council. Additionally, she serves as an Independent Board Director for Electronics For Imaging (EFI), a digital imaging technology company, becoming the first woman and first African American to serve on this corporate board.
Gail previously served in a variety of Global Executive roles at AT&T, including Operations, sales, and Marketing, before becoming AT&T’s Vice President of Human Resources in 2015. Her ability to effectively respond to global growth, market changes, and economic challenges made her a treasured resource and propelled her more than 30-year steadfast career with AT&T. She is credited with building effective enterprise-wide Leadership Development Programs and leading AT&T’s Summer Intern Program and strategic talent development partnerships including HBCUs (historically black colleges and universities), minority-serving institutions, women’s organizations, and diverse stakeholders. Under Gail’s leadership, AT&T was recognized as the #1 company in Mentoring programs by Diversity, Inc.
Gail is passionate about connecting talent with the right career opportunities and the community with corporate America. Her executive influence and communications serve as a foundation to her success on multiple boards including the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, the National Black MBA, the Virginia Commonwealth University Alumni Board, Links Foundation Board, Jack and Jill Foundation Board, Kappa Alpha Psi Foundation Board and NIH Advisory Council. She is a past member of the Bowie State University School of Business Advisory Board. She also is a lifetime member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority and a member of the Washington DC chapter of the Carousels. She is the immediate Past President of the Loudoun County Chapter of Girl Friends, Inc. She has served in various leadership roles in the Links, Inc including President, Eastern Area HBCU chair, Eastern Area Representative to the Foundation and served on the Links National Steering Committee.
Gail earned her bachelor’s degree from Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) where she co- founded the African American Alumni Mentoring Programs which was awarded the 2022 Gold Circle of Excellence Award by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education. She completed her Executive Education programs at Harvard Business School and Cornell University. She is a highly sought after speaker and facilitator for topics related to diversity and inclusion, innovation, workforce planning, generational mentoring, and Leadership Development.
Gail lives in Clarksville Maryland with her husband of 29 years Pastor Kevin Wayne Johnson. They have three adult sons, Kevin, Christopher and Cameron.