Craig Johnson named Interim Senior VP for Business and Finance

Craig Johnson, currently the chief operating officer at the Feinberg School of Medicine, has been named Interim Senior Vice President for Business and Finance for Northwestern University, Northwestern President Morton Schapiro announced today.

Johnson, 41, has served as Feinberg’s COO since 2016 and vice dean for finance and administration since 2013. He also has been treasurer of the McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University and an assistant professor in the Department of Medical Education.

“We are very fortunate to have someone of Craig’s caliber available to step in as the interim senior vice president for business and finance,” President Schapiro said. “He knows the University’s systems and, most important, understands Northwestern’s culture and values. I’m very pleased to welcome him to the University’s leadership team.”

Johnson will direct Northwestern’s business and financial operations. In addition, he will also oversee the Departments of Facilities Management, Human Resources, Compliance, Audit and Advisory Services, and Information Technology, which will also report jointly to Provost Jonathan Holloway during this interim appointment period.

In his current role, Johnson is responsible for all of Feinberg’s business matters, including the planning and management of Feinberg’s budget, capital expenditures and business operations. He is a member of the leadership team that sets the strategic direction of Feinberg in conjunction with its clinical affiliates and the University.

He also was the interim chief financial officer at Northwestern Medical Group at Northwestern Memorial HealthCare from 2013-2015 and, before joining Feinberg in 2010, worked in Northwestern’s Office of Budget and Planning. Johnson received his MBA in finance from the Kellogg School of Management and undergraduate degree from Northwestern.

“I’m excited by the opportunity to join President Schapiro and Provost Holloway in leading Northwestern,” said Johnson. “As someone who has worked on both the Evanston and Chicago campuses and also worked closely with our affiliated hospitals, I have a great appreciation for all aspects of the University. I look forward to continuing the strong partnerships that I have been able to develop here.” 

Johnson succeeds Nim Chinniah, executive vice president, who resigned from his position as executive vice president last month.

Johnson lives in Evanston with his wife, Meera Bhatia, who also graduated from Northwestern, and their two children.