Meet Kasey Johansen

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kasey Johansen. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kasey below.

Kasey , so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

I’m not sure I found my purpose, but rather it found me. There was no
singular moment, just a steady pattern of experiences leading me toward
the same truth: purpose is where passion turns into action. Being involved
in pageants in my late teens taught me how women are shaped by
competition and perception. A career in opera revealed the pressure to
perform, not just on the stage, but in society, especially among other
women. It was as a personal stylist that something clicked: helping women
reclaim their confidence through style felt meaningful in a way nothing else
had. My purpose is simple: to help women stop apologizing for taking up
space, to trust their own voices, and to bolster the confidence they’ve
been taught to doubt. This led me to found WOMEN100, a nonprofit where
women show up for each other with honesty and without ego. I didn’t
chase purpose, but I acknowledged and welcomed it as a co-pilot when it
appeared.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I’m Kasey Johansen, Founder and CEO of WOMEN100.

WOMEN100 is a female-founded, female-led nonprofit built on one core belief: when women stop competing and start collaborating, we become unstoppable.

For years, I watched women do the work—yet rarely lead the change. I saw nonprofits struggling to access funding, and women consistently underrepresented in leadership. So I stopped waiting for a seat at the table—and built my own.

That gap between purpose and power is exactly why WOMEN100 exists.

My journey here hasn’t followed a straight line. From Miss America stages to opera houses, I’ve shared space with incredible women—often in environments designed to compete rather than connect. One day, I asked: What if we changed that?

WOMEN100 is my answer.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

1. Resilience:
Navigating my path through pageantry and opera taught me more than just performance and competition; it showed me how to keep showing up in spaces that weren’t always welcoming. That resilience fosters self-awareness, strength, and adaptability. Advice; embrace opportunities that push you beyond your comfort zone.

2. No Regrets:
I don’t want to ever look back wondering what might have been if I had just worked a little harder. Raised by an artist mom and a self-made father in commercial real estate, alongside two entrepreneurial sisters, I was taught early on that if you’re going to do something, give it your everything. I live this mindset every day, not because it’s easy, but because it’s necessary. No matter the outcome, I want to say, without regrets: I gave it my all! Advice: it’s not enough to just have an idea, you have to be ready to do the hard work. Find your purpose and let it lead you.

3. Empathy:
Leadership isn’t about the spotlight, it’s about community and collaboration. For me, empathy means stepping into another’s shoes and asking: How would I want to be treated? How would I want my kids to be treated? More deeply: How do I want my kids to see me show up in the world? Empathy isn’t always grand gestures, it’s everyday acts of kindness; one small decision to listen, advocate, or show empathy can leave an impact far beyond what we realize. Advice: Listen more than you speak. Stay curious. The best leaders lead with heart.

What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?

I close my eyes, take four deep breaths, and find my confidence. Confidence can be fragile. It shifts with the moment, the environment, and the pressure—and that’s perfectly natural. While I’ve been fortunate to have a strong support network of family and friends who believe in me, true self-belief is something you must develop within. Confidence is not something you have, it’s something you practice. For me, that comes from consistent effort, positive self-talk, and showing up, especially when it’s the hardest. Real confidence isn’t about the absence of fear—it’s the quiet, unwavering resolve to move forward despite uncertainty. It’s the steady belief that you can keep going, that you believe in yourself—even when the outcome is uncertain.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.women100cincy.com
• Instagram: @women100cincy

Image Credits

Amanda Donaho Photography
Katherine Elyse Media