Key Influencer - Mandi Johnson - Chief of Staff for Advanced Education

After serving as the Chief of Staff for Culture, Multiculturalism and Status of Women, one of the province’s most experienced staffers has moved to a new department. Mandi Johnson took over the reins as Chief of Staff to Minister Demetrios Nicolaides in Advanced Education in December 2021. She had worked in her previous position since the UCP took office in 2019.

Johnson is no spring chicken in the world of provincial politics in Alberta. She started her time in government as the Communications Officer for Government Caucus from 2012-2013 under the Progressive Conservative, specializing in web and social media roles. In June 2013, she changed teams to work for the then up-and-coming Wildrose Alliance as their Social and Digital Media Manager – a role she held until leaving government in October 2017.

Following her departure from the Wildrose, Johnson moved into the private sector to work as the Director of Marketing and Digital for Zephyr Ventures, a communications firm specializing in marketing and political campaigns.

Johnson is incredibly well-regarded in government circles as having a tireless work ethic. A testament to that anecdote can be seen in her former ministry where her previous workload is now being split among three different chiefs. Given the work Minister Nicolaides has underway with Alberta 2030 and the ongoing management of post-secondary education, her drive to get things done will no doubt be a welcome addition to the Advanced Education team.