Nancy Johnston

Executive Director of the Piedmont Triad office for the North Carolina Biotechnology Center

Nancy Johnston serves as the executive director of the Piedmont Triad office for the North Carolina Biotechnology Center, a role that has placed her at the center of life sciences technology-based economic development for over a decade. Her professional career spans 20 + years in industry, academia, and non-profit organizations. Her research park experience provides a unique perspective on the region, which is home to two developments.

In her current role, Johnston works to engage and educate community leaders about short- and long- term societal and economic benefits of strengthening biotechnology in the 12- county region, working closely with the Advisory Committee for Biotechnology in the Piedmont Triad. She connects needs with resources, promoting the Center’s core programs to help create an ecosystem conducive to biotechnology research, business, education, and strategic policy.

Johnston is known as an experienced strategic communication and collaborative relationship-building executive; a trusted connector in the entrepreneurial start-up community; and an advisor on talent and workforce development. She serves on a variety of international, national, and regional advisory boards and committees including with the RegenMed Development Organization (ReMDO).

She was recently honored by regional leaders with the 2022 Biotechnology Community Leadership Excellence award at Triad BioNight and recognized as a 2022 Triad Business Journal Power Player. She is also a past recipient of the TBJ’s Outstanding Woman in Business award. Johnston earned her MA from High Point University, BA from Liberty University; and is a Leadership North Carolina (Class XXIV) alum.