With a background in chemistry and biochemistry, 20 years of consulting experience and a passion for challenging traditional thinking, Johnson has carved out her own niche as what she calls a “soulful scientist.”
As founder and principal of KLJ Consulting, Johnson works with businesses across North America, Australia, New Zealand, Asia and Europe. She also founded Azul, a mushroom based wellness brand. Her latest venture, 360 Peptides, aims to help people better understand peptides and navigate the rapidly evolving space.
“The word peptide has been floating around for a long time,” Johnson said. “I wanted to fix all of this and come out with a company that you could trust, know the science and know where to get some real answers.”
Her curiosity about wellness extends beyond the lab. After initially pursuing a path toward Western medicine, Johnson became increasingly interested in integrative approaches that consider nutrition, stress, sleep and environment alongside conventional science.
“I love science. I’m a very curious person. But then I also feel that there’s only so far that science can take us. And then we have to trust our gut and trust our own inner intuition on what we need individually,” she said.
That willingness to question convention has also shaped her approach to business. Having worked across global markets, Johnson said women still face different levels of support and representation depending on where they operate. She believes collaboration and mentorship are essential to helping women advance in the nutraceutical industry.
“I think women need to use their voices more and speak up when they see something, you know, again, that may not feel quite right,” she said.
For Johnson, that means building relationships, asking questions and supporting other women as they navigate their own careers. Reflecting on what she would tell her younger self, Johnson said “Trust the timing of your life.”