Zach Johnson was awarded Iowa State University College of Liberal Arts and Sciences’ Young Alumni Award at the ISU Alumni Association’s Honors and Awards Ceremony on Nov. 4, 2022 in Ames.
Johnson, a journalism and mass communication alumnus, was honored for his early career accomplishments and contributions to the community.
Currently the senior communications specialist for The Walt Disney Company, Johnson is the lead editor and content strategist for the organization’s digital corporate communications platforms. He connects the company’s more than 200,000 employees as the manager of Disney Newsreel and manages communications with multiple stakeholders via the company’s corporate blog and other channels. He contributes to a diverse range of communication streams, including D23: The Official Disney Fan Club, interviewing and producing content about famous artists and other celebrities.
Johnson’s career includes an innovative mix of reporting, editing, and newsroom management in the entertainment industry. He has served in contributor and management roles for organizations such as E! News and Us Weekly. In these roles, he managed fast-paced, highly competitive news streams and interviewed celebrities such as Kim Kardashian and Oprah Winfrey.
He is an advocate for numerous causes, and contributes time, talent, and treasure to non-profit organizations like charity: water and The Trevor Project. He leverages his skills and creative passion as a mentor to middle school students engaged in Young Story tellers, which sparks creative self-discovery through storytelling.
In 2016, Johnson received the NBC University Going the Extra Mile (GEM) Award, which recognizes employees who go above and beyond and provide invaluable support to their teams.