Mac Johnson (MBA’25): Creating Impact Through Leadership and Service

As the spring semester comes to a close, Georgetown McDonough is pleased to commemorate the accomplishments of the Class of 2025. To celebrate, we’re spotlighting several of the exceptional students in the Class of 2025 as they share their personal stories, reflect on their time on the Hilltop, and preview what the future holds after commencement.

For Mac Johnson (MBA’25), pursuing an MBA at Georgetown’s McDonough School of Business was about far more than academic achievement. It was a transformative journey rooted in purpose, leadership, and service. A U.S. Army Sergeant First Class turned Commissioned Officer with a deep commitment to community, Johnson embraced every opportunity to lead with integrity and create meaningful connections. From reviving cherished traditions to championing values-driven leadership, he made his mark as someone who leads not for recognition, but to uplift others.

As he prepares to graduate and step into a new chapter of military service, Johnson reflects on the defining moments of his Georgetown experience. In this Q&A, he shares his proudest accomplishments, the lessons that shaped him, and heartfelt advice for the next generation of McDonough students.

What is your favorite memory or proudest moment from your time at Georgetown?

One of my favorite memories—and proudest moments—was planning and executing the McDonough Cup with the MBA Student Government Association team. We set out to carry on and add to a tradition that had been quiet during the pandemic years, and it quickly became one of the most ambitious events of the year. Coordinating dozens of team-based challenges, managing logistics for hundreds of students, and balancing the competitive spirit with community-building wasn’t easy. We hit roadblocks—weather changes, last-minute cancellations, and tight budgets—but seeing the entire MBA community come alive with laughter, energy, and school pride reminded me why I chose to lead.

Watching first-year and second-year students—who barely knew each other at the start—bond over a tug-of-war match like they’d been friends for years was pure joy. It was at that moment that I realized: leadership isn’t about perfection—it’s about creating the conditions for others to thrive. As President John Quincy Adams once said, “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.” The McDonough Cup was a reminder that joy, connection, and growth often come from the moments we build together.

What is one of the most important lessons you’ve learned while at Georgetown?

The most important lesson I’ve learned is the power of intentional relationships. Whether it was in the classroom, during the Global Business Experience, or in various leadership roles—success here isn’t about going it alone. The Georgetown community taught me that when you show up consistently, support others, and lead authentically, you not only thrive—you help others do the same.

Is there a particular person in the Georgetown community who has been instrumental to your success?

There are too many to name but learning from Jeff Reid, the founding director of the Georgetown Entrepreneurship Initiative, has been instrumental. His belief in veteran leaders and entrepreneurs—and his intentional efforts to connect us to real-world opportunities—pushed me to think bigger and execute with clarity. His mentorship gave me the confidence to see myself not just as a student-soldier, but as a real estate professional and as a river that resources can flow through to underserved communities.

What are your post-graduate plans?

I will be commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army, continuing my military career in a new leadership capacity. In parallel, I’ll begin laying the groundwork for a long-term career in real estate development and economic diplomacy, with a goal of eventually transitioning into a post-military career that blends my interest in economics with public service in the Foreign Service.

How do you plan to apply the skills you’ve learned at Georgetown in the next phase of your career?

Georgetown sharpened my ability to think strategically under pressure and lead with empathy—skills that directly align with my responsibilities as I return to active duty as a U.S. Army Officer. The analytical frameworks, communication tools, and business acumen I’ve developed here will help me manage people, resources, and complex challenges with both precision and care.

What’s been most meaningful is discovering how deeply Georgetown’s Jesuit values—service to others, leadership with integrity, and commitment to the greater good—mirror the Army’s own core values of duty, selfless service, and integrity. As I step into Army officerhood, I plan to live out those shared principles by showing up as a values-driven leader who empowers others to stretch beyond their comfort zones and believe in their potential.

Along the way, I hope my journey speaks to people who come from humble beginnings and underserved communities—especially those who may feel like elite spaces aren’t built for them. I want them to see that if a gritty kid from North Philly can thrive at Georgetown, lead in the world’s most professional military, and live his purpose, then it’s attainable for them too. I want them to avoid fearing the unknown, to be the change they want to see and to know that they belong wherever they choose to stand.

What advice would you give to the next class of Georgetown students?

1. Own your story. Your professional background, accent, skin color, or upbringing are different from everyone else? Perfect! Use your uniqueness as a source of strength and find a way to add value to our community with it. 

2. Leverage every opportunity to learn from the people around you—and don’t be afraid to lead, even when it feels uncomfortable. The Georgetown ecosystem is bursting at the seams with resources and mentors, but it’s on you to make the most of it. This is the perfect opportunity to take an active approach to your success. A passive approach will not be sufficient.

3. Lastly, remember: success isn’t just about titles or outcomes—it’s about how you show up for your peers and your community. Hopefully I’ll maintain the “passion for accounting” that professor Gilles Hilary instills in us McDonough MBA students. But without a doubt, I’ll maintain the relationships built and the confidence gained through experience over the past two years.