About the Mentor

Background & Experience

My name is Kerona Johnson. I grew up in Jamaica with a strong curiosity about people, places, and possibilities beyond what I could see around me. From early on, I was drawn to learning, service, and experiences that allowed me to connect with others and understand the world more deeply.

I began my academic journey studying Tourism Management at the University of the West Indies Mona. During my studies, I had the opportunity to travel to The Bahamas where I lived and continued my education until the Covid pandemic began. Living abroad for the first time changed me. It pushed me to adapt, to become more independent, and to believe that I could build a life beyond familiar borders. During the pandemic, I returned to Jamaica and completed my bachelor’s degree at the UWI Mona campus and soon after, I began working at the University. I had previously worked with different departments and I loved these roles because they placed me close to students. Supporting them, answering questions, and helping them to navigate their paths felt meaningful and natural to me. This because service has always been an important part of who I am. I was actively involved in 4H Clubs and Rotaract and I also volunteered with the Salvation Army and The Red Cross. These experiences taught me the value of community, empathy, and giving back even when resources are limited.

As my confidence grew, I realized that I had outgrown my current situation and I had a deep desire to explore the world. Due to the hope of gaining new perspectives and challenging myself in unfamiliar environments, I applied for numerous international scholarships despite having financial uncertainty. Along the way, I faced some painful application rejections but I still progressed. On later attempts, I was accepted into programs in Canada, Romania, and Austria. Choosing Austria felt bold and exciting and I had always been interested in understanding the German language. I knew growth, uncertainty, and challenges were ahead but this was exciting for me.

I moved to Salzburg where I lived and studied tourism for one year before making a bold career switch and relocating to Vienna to pursue my Master’s degree in International Management and Leadership. Studying, working and living in different cities taught me cultural awareness, resilience, adaptability, and the importance of mindset when navigating change.

Today, I work in Learning and Development for a multinational corporation while continuing my studies. My work focuses on helping people to grow, develop skills, and build confidence in a global and digital work environment. Every step of my journey has reinforced my belief that access to guidance and practical support can change lives. I believe that the first step is always clarity of intention. When the goal is clear and the interest is genuine, solutions often follow.