Johnna James is a citizen of Chickasaw Nation. She currently serves on the Indigenous Community Response Team for the Opioid Response Network. She consults with local, state, tribal, and federal governments, providing collaboration and technical assistance.

Johnna is a member of the National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition and National Indian Education Association. In 2021, Johnna served as United States Ambassador to the United Nations for the 65th Commission on the Status of Women.

Johnna earned her undergraduate degree in Business Administration from the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma prior to earning her master’s degree in Native American Leadership from Southeastern Oklahoma State University. Johnna is currently a doctoral candidate at Southern Nazarene University researching historical trauma, American Indian education, and culturally responsive teaching.