About

Monica Johnson, M.A., Psychology

Monica Johnson has been an active researcher in the area of human resilience for over 20 years. She is a contributing researcher for the Global Resilience Institute, founded by Dr. Paul Stoltz, the world’s leading expert on measuring and strengthening human resilience and GRIT. Her study, Optimism, Adversity and Performance: Comparing Explanatory Style and AQ, was the first of its kind to compare two leading models that measure resilience – Explanatory Style and AQ. Her study found that AQ provides a more complete and consistent framework for identifying resilience.

Monica first became interested in resilience when she was inquiring about what makes some children overcome in the face of overwhelming odds, while others succumb to their plights. She designed and conducted a study at a Bay Area school that measured optimism and pessimism in children and presented the results at the Western Psychological Association. While she was working on her graduate degree, she had a demanding enterprise sales job and realized how effective the tools she was learning about were in positively affecting her performance in that position. (She consistently exceeded quota year after year.) She founded the consulting firm, Optimal Solutions, in 2002 and began working with Fortune 500 clients. She focused her graduate work on resilience and performance. It was during the research process that Monica discovered Dr. Stoltz’s AQ theory and methodologies, the most proven method of understanding, assessing and strengthening human resilience. She has worked with Dr. Stoltz’s research and consulting firm, PEAK Learning, Inc., since 2003.

Monica has worked with many Fortune 500 and Silicon Valley businesses as well as individuals in crisis. She has presented to large corporations, school districts, and local schools. Her authentic style mixed with energetic and interactive presentations result in her consistently receiving the highest marks on presenter evaluations. She is comfortable speaking to groups of any size – from small, intimate settings to large venues.

Monica is a Cum Laude graduate from San Jose State University where she received bachelor’s degrees in both Behavioral Science and Psychology as well as her master’s degree in Experimental Psychology. She is also a trained suicide and crisis counselor.

Monica’s current area of interest is youth and young adult stress. She’s been a repeat speaker for a Bay Area High school TOPS program (Teens Offering Peer Support). She is a past Chairperson for Project Cornerstone at her son’s school (an initiative of the YMCA of Silicon Valley that offers workshops and programs to help adults better understand how to build assets in young people) and has also served as president of the school board.

Monica is passionate about her work and understands the great need individuals, professionals, and parents have to fortify and equip ourselves and our youth with the tools needed to not only endure, but thrive, in the most challenging circumstances.