[2] Johnson was born in Carbonear, Newfoundland and Labrador, and raised in the Conception Bay community of Gull Island.
Johnson then obtained a Masters of Applied Science degree in Environmental Engineering from Memorial University of Newfoundland.
In April 2009, Johnson became the first MHA in Newfoundland and Labrador, and one of only a handful of women in Canada, to give birth while being a member of a provincial or federal legislature.
Johnson remained in the portfolio of Child, Youth and Family Services when Dunderdale named her new cabinet several weeks after the election.
[9] In November 2017, Johnson was appointed as CEO of the Newfoundland and Labrador Oil & Gas Industries Association (Noia).