Maria Johnson

Maria grew up in the Tacoma area, attending Holy Rosary School and graduating from Lincoln High School.  A few years later, Maria moved to Southern California where she lived for the next 26 years.  While in California, she worked for the Antelope Valley Union School District and also Rockwell International while raising her family.

After returning to Washington State in the summer of 1995, she involved herself in some of her hobbies, which included gardening and antique collecting.  In January, 1996, she began her employment with Russell Investment Group, first as a Marketing/Advertising Specialist and then as the Manager of their Corporate and Community Relations Department.  Maria has been a well known face in the community, getting very involved with numerous nonprofit organizations.  In addition, she has been a member of many service clubs, such as Executive Women’s International, Tacoma Rotary 8 and the City Club of Tacoma.

Maria has a lengthy history of community involvement to include serving on the Boards of The Humane Society for Tacoma and Pierce County, Werlin Reading Teams, and The Arts Fund in Seattle.  She has been the Chairperson of numerous committees and has been a dedicated volunteer for Franciscan Hospice, American Heart Association, Associated Ministries, Emergency Food Network, American Cancer Society, Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, and the Tacoma School District to name a few.  She has a passion for kids and education and received her teaching credentials through the University of California Los Angeles.

Maria has two grown children living in Colorado and California and two grandchildren, Hailey and Cameron.  She loves animals and currently has three very spoiled cats.