Liz Johnson is the Senior Director of External Affairs at St. Edward’s University, where she has served the university community since 2017.
In this role, she builds strategic relationships between the university and the greater Austin area—working closely with community leaders, elected officials, businesses, and nonprofits to create meaningful impact.
Before joining St. Edward’s, Liz worked in advocacy and external affairs at Ascension Texas, a local healthcare system. She is a graduate of Leadership Austin and a former McBee Fellow with the Austin Area Research Organization (AARO). She also serves on the board of Lone Star Circle of Care, a network of community-based health centers.
Liz earned her MBA from St. Edward’s University and holds both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in health administration from Saint Louis University.
At the heart of my work is a deep commitment to connecting the university’s mission with the needs of Austin and Central Texas. I focus on aligning the university’s strengths with community and industry priorities—building mutually beneficial partnerships that expand opportunities for students, strengthen the regional workforce, and contribute to a thriving community. All of this is informed by my passion for collaborative problem-solving and advancing sustainable, community-focused growth.