Whitney Johnson

Whitney Johnson, CPA, SPHR

Chief Financial and Operating Officer

Colorado Academy

Denver, CO

Whitney Johnson joined Colorado Academy in Denver, Colorado, as the chief operating and financial officer in summer 2022 after working at two other independent schools. She has extensive experience in all aspects of independent school business, including human resources, accounting, budgeting, finance, facility operations, risk management and employment law. Johnson most recently held the post of CFO at the Ensworth School in Nashville, Tennessee, and before that she was director of finance and human resources at the Hockaday School in Dallas. Johnson holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Central Arkansas and a master’s degree in accountancy from the University of Arkansas. She holds both CPA and Society of Human Resource Management Certified Professional credentials. She enjoys international travel and cuisine, community service, hiking, soccer and theater.

Online Courses

Past Webinars

  • Culture and Compensation: How to Empower Your Faculty This item is protected

    October 9, 2026
    Discover how a school transformed faculty compensation from a traditional salary scale to an innovative banded system. Learn how they secured buy-in, sustained momentum over 9 years, and created a model that supports faculty growth, agency, and feedback.
  • 2026’s Back-to-School Legal & Regulatory Update This item is protected

    September 30, 2026
    Join independent school legal experts as they review recent changes to the law and answer your questions about how they may impact your school.
  • Grants Management for Independent Schools This item is protected

    May 26, 2026
    Designed for business officers who manage or oversee grants, this webinar provides actionable tools and templates to strengthen financial stewardship and enhance mission impact through effective grants administration.
  • Enrollment Forecasting as a Strategic Financial Tool This item is protected

    May 8, 2026
    This webinar presents a strategic approach to enrollment forecasting that blends the enrollment team’s relational insights with financial analysis and data modeling. Learn how to strengthen projections using internal data alongside external signals.
  • There's More Room for Change Than You Think This item is protected

    April 24, 2026
    To stay competitive in today’s educational landscape, independent schools should modernize spaces by aligning with evolving pedagogical trends and technology advancements. Learn how existing spaces can be transformed to better serve a campus community.

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