Charisse Conanan Johnson
Charisse Conanan JohnsonCo-CEO

Based in Charlotte, Charisse is Co-CEO and Board Member of Next Street. In her role, Charisse is responsible for stewarding the firm to deliver on its mission to help small businesses reach their potential. While Charisse has executive oversight of all Revenue-related and Corporate activities at the firm, she also works on a daily basis to ensure that Next Street hits its financial and impact metrics, attracts and retains the best talent, lives into its values, and represents the firm externally. Prior to serving as Co-CEO, Charisse was Head of the Advisory Practice, where she led the unit to provide consulting solutions for institutional clients nationwide. Charisse started at the firm in December of 2015, assuming a mandate to start and grow the firm’s Chicago office. Charisse leads by example and loves to bring authentic joy and a small business first mindset into everything she does at Next Street.

On working at Next Street

I am passionate about redistributing wealth and systems change for New Majority persons, through small business and entrepreneurship. I came to Next Street to feed that passion and change the status quo. I haven’t looked back since.

Prior to Next Street, Charisse was CEO of Smarteys, Inc., a small business that provided financial planning tools for college grads. Prior to Smarteys, Charisse was a Vice President at JPMorgan Asset Management, where she made investment decisions for a $10 billion mid cap equity portfolio. Charisse is a graduate of Yale University and the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.

Charisse is also a chartered financial analyst (CFA) charter holder and author of A Wealthy Girl: 7 Steps to Prosperity, Peace, and Personal Power.

The Atlantic Festival: Equity In Personal Finance

Outside of Next Street

When she’s not at work, Charisse loves traveling, spending quality time with family and friends. She also loves to write, which she does for her blog, Charisse Says, and speak about her book.

Get to know Charisse

  • General Partner at the Bulldog Innovation Group, a group of Yale University alums investing in companies founded by other Yale alums
  • Twitter: @CharisseSays

Publications