Randi Johnson is the kind of person who sees hurdles in life not as obstacles, but as invitations to pivot, grow, and advance. Her journey began in Lake Oswego, Oregon, where she was born and raised. She pursued her love of learning at the University of Portland, and it was there she met Eric Johnson—her future husband and partner in all things adventure and family. After graduation, Randi hit the ground running in Portland’s tech scene, launching her own recruitment company. She thrived on connecting talented people with the right opportunities, balancing her work with her deep commitment to family. But life had other plans for the Johnsons: In 2014, Eric was named CFO—and eventually CEO—of Nintex. This exciting new role led them to pack up their life in Oregon and relocate north to Seattle’s Eastside.

Soon after moving, Randi and Eric received the lifechanging news that their son, Luke, had dyslexia. She put her recruitment company on pause—eventually deciding to close it altogether—so she could fully focus on securing the services and support Luke required in his learning journey. When COVID-19 hit and remote learning replaced classrooms, Randi’s advocacy skills were needed more than ever. She worked tirelessly to ensure Luke received the right accommodations. She also guided her daughter, Kate, through pandemic-era schooling, ultimately moving both children to a private school whose curriculum could better meet the family’s learning requirements.

 

Although this period was full of long days and countless Zoom calls, Randi speaks of it as both a challenge and a blessing. “I had the chance to truly deepen my relationship with both of my kids,” she reflects, “and to channel all my professional energy into helping both Luke and Kate find their best paths.” Once the school situation stabilized and the world began to open back up, Randi realized there was still something missing from her life. She felt an urge not just to reconnect, but to help create a community of women to do the same. Having seen firsthand how meaningful it was to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with people who ‘get it,’ Randi resolved to create a space where women from diverse backgrounds could learn from each other and spark fresh inspiration in a supportive environment.

 

And so, in January of 2023, “Ladies Who Lunch” was born—a quarterly luncheon featuring interactive speakers and curated conversations. Drawing on her recruitment background, Randi skillfully pulled together a wide array of experts who could enlighten, entertain, and empower attendees on everything from personal branding to fly fishing to menopause. It might sound like a disparate mashup of topics, but that’s exactly the point: Randi aims to break barriers and spark authentic bonds by exploring subjects we often don’t discuss or simply don’t make time for. Since launching, Ladies Who Lunch has become known for its thoughtfully chosen speakers, sharing insights on areas that truly matter to women in both their business and personal lives. As Randi puts it, “We feed our bodies—because we love a great meal, of course—but we also feed our souls. If we can foster fresh ideas or supportive friendships over lunch, then everyone leaves a little more inspired.”

 

So far, the speaker lineup has been as varied as the women who attend: experts have tackled heart health, harnessing social media, preparing for physical and mental changes in midlife, and building a personal brand online or offline. With each lunch, the sense of camaraderie grows. Because the events are invite-only, typically limited to 50 attendees, they maintain an intimate, welcoming atmosphere—an antidote to the faceless networking events people often dread. Held at venues like Overlake Golf and Country Club or Bellevue Club, the lunches blend a sense of professionalism and polish with Randi’s signature warmth. “You can be sitting next to a CEO on one side and a stay-at-home mother on the other,” she says. “And that’s the joy of it. We all have something to teach each other.”

 

Randi has come a long way from Lake Oswego, but the lessons she learned early on—dedication, resilience, and the willingness to follow life’s unexpected paths—continue to shape her life. Whether it’s advocating for educational equity or curating extraordinary lunches for women across the Eastside, she moves forward with an unwavering sense of possibility. If you ask Randi what’s next, she’ll flash a warm smile and mention plenty of new ideas for Ladies Who Lunch. Between gathering experts to discuss women’s health breakthroughs or offering a fresh spin on personal development, she has no shortage of plans. At the heart of it all is the same principle that guided her through her own challenges: There’s nothing we can’t navigate when we stand together. If you can share a good meal, some laughter, and meaningful takeaways along the way… even better.

 

For more information about Ladies Who Lunch, please visit www.ladieswholunch-wa.com