Johnson Bowles
Following a national search, Reinhardt University announces Johnson Bowles as the new Vice President of Advancement (VPA). As the VPA, Bowles leads Reinhardt’s development and fundraising efforts and serves as the vice president over marketing and communications.
“We are pleased to welcome Johnson Bowles to our campus community,” said Mark A. Roberts, Ph.D., President of Reinhardt University. “Her congenial personality and deep experience in advancement work and marketing communications will benefit all of the Reinhardt family.”
Bowles brings 33 years of experience in revenue generation, communications, strategic planning, compliance and risk management, core business operations, and sustainability at educational and not-for-profit institutions. “I learned many years ago as a faculty member when students have the tools they need, they can accomplish almost anything. I’ve now made it my life’s work to secure resources for student, faculty, and staff success.”
Prior to joining the Reinhardt community, Bowles founded Gordian Knot Consulting. The consulting firm specializes in philanthropic and revenue-generating solutions for higher education institutions and not-for-profit organizations. At the State University of New York (SUNY) in Geneseo, New York, Bowles served as the vice president for advancement and the executive director of the Geneseo Foundation. In that position, she increased fundraising dollars and donors and served as the principal architect of a comprehensive campaign. As the vice president for college advancement for Warren Wilson College in Asheville, North Carolina, Bowles led a team that increased alumni engagement and overall giving to the institution. She also served as the assistant vice president, assistant professor, and museum director at Longwood University where she increased annual giving and secured seven- and six-figure gifts to support the University.
Bowles has served on many non-profit boards including a gubernatorial appointment to the Library of Virginia’s board. She also shares her expertise through columns she contributes to publications such as “Inside Higher Ed,” “Chronicle of Philanthropy,” “Times Higher Education,” and “Trusteeship.”
Among her many talents, Bowles is also a practicing artist. Her art has appeared in more than 80 exhibitions and 50 journals nationally and internationally. She is the recipient of fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Houston Center for Photography, the Visual Studies Workshop, and the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts.
