Judith (Judi) Johansen, JD became the 13th president of Marylhurst University in July 2008, after a lengthy career as an attorney and business executive. Johansen succeeded Nancy Wilgenbusch, who served as the university's president from 1984 to 2008.

Johansen was CEO/Administrator of the Bonneville Power Administration in the late 1990s, and later became CEO of PacifiCorp, a six-state utility with more than 6,600 employees. Prior to coming to Marylhurst, she also served on the Lewis & Clark College Board of Trustees and was elected board chair in 2007.

Johansen earned her juris doctorate from the Northwestern School of Law at Lewis & Clark College, and her bachelor of science in political science from Colorado State University. She has published in the fields of environmental law, energy policy and technology.

As a retired executive serving on various local and regional boards, Johansen was not looking for a job when, in the fall of 2007, retiring Marylhurst University President Nancy Wilgenbusch invited her to attend an event honoring Philip and Penny Knight for their support of Marylhurst scholarships. The daughter of two teachers, Johansen experienced a return to her education roots that evening.

"Something happened to me that rainy November night under an outdoor tent that drew me toward Marylhurst," Johansen recalls. "The testimonials of the students whose lives had been changed by the university, the story of Marylhurst's founding by the Sisters of the Holy Names – I was hooked, and I knew this is where I wanted to be."

Johansen continues her active involvement in the community. She serves as a trustee for the Oregon Chapter of The Nature Conservancy and senior director for the Oregon Business Council. She is a member of the board of directors for Schnitzer Steel, Kaiser Permanente, Roseburg Forest Products, Cascade Bancorp and Idacorp.

Johansen lives with her husband and daughter in Lake Oswego.