Johnnetta Nuby
I’ve spent nearly a decade working in grants and contracts, but my work has always been rooted in something deeper than funding alone. I started my career in education, teaching first and second grade, before transitioning into nonprofit work. That shift gave me the opportunity to work more directly behind the scenes, ensuring that programs serving communities had the funding and structure needed to operate and grow. Over the years, I’ve worked on both sides of the grant process, managing funding and ensuring compliance while also understanding what funders are looking for. That experience shaped how I approach my work today. Through my role as a Director of Grant Reporting and Compliance, I oversee multi-million-dollar funding portfolios and the full grant lifecycle. At the same time, through Opulence Group, I help nonprofits and businesses build the structure and strategy needed to secure funding in a way that is sustainable. I’ve seen firsthand that many organizations are not lacking opportunity, they’re lacking clarity. My work is centered on closing that gap and helping clients move with intention.
• Bachelor's in Biology from Florida Atlantic University
• Minor in Spanish
• Certification in Student Leadership
• Certification in Gender Studies
• Master's in Public Administration
• Doctorate in Public Administration with specialization in Nonprofit Management (in progress
• Dissertation phase)
• Legacy Magazine 40 Under 40 (2022)
• Miami Herald and Sun Sentinel South Florida's 40 Under 40 Black Business Leaders
• Legacy Magazine Most Influential Women in Business and Industry (2023)
• Legacy Magazine Most Powerful and Influential Business Leaders (2025)
• Voyage Miami (2026)
• NAACP Miami-Dade Branch
• Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated
• Alpha Kappa Psi Co-Ed Business Fraternity
• Top Ladies of Distinction
• OES
• Sigma Alpha Iota Music Fraternity for Women
• Lotus House Women's Shelter
• Breakfast with Santa for Sickle Cell Children
• Jefferson Reaves Substance Abuse Residency Treatment Center
• Cherishing Minds, Inc.
• Back to School Drives
• Political Awareness Forums
• MDC Commissioners Black Affairs Advisory Board
• Rekindle Fellowship
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to being intentional, disciplined, and grounded in purpose. I’ve never approached my work from a surface level. Whether managing funding or supporting clients, I take the time to fully understand the process and ensure that everything is done correctly. That consistency has allowed me to grow into leadership roles and build a strong foundation in my field. I also genuinely want to see people win. That mindset influences how I show up in my work and the level of care I put into what I do. When your work is tied to impact, it naturally pushes you to operate at a higher level.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned is that you don’t have to have everything figured out before you move forward. Many people wait until things feel perfect, but growth happens when you’re willing to take the next step while still learning. That was especially true when I started Opulence Group. It required confidence in my experience and ability, even before everything was fully built out. At the same time, I believe in being strategic. I take the time to prepare, understand the space I’m entering, and make informed decisions, but I also don’t allow uncertainty to stop progress.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
For nonprofit work, you really have to have a passion for it, and most people do. It’s rewarding in the sense that you are making a difference, even if your role is behind the scenes.
At the same time, passion alone isn’t enough. You have to be intentional about your growth and take the time to truly understand the work that you’re doing. Nonprofit work requires structure, discipline, and a strong understanding of how systems operate. Don’t limit yourself to your job description. Learn the full process, ask questions, and position yourself to grow beyond your role. That’s what allows you to move into leadership and create long-term opportunities for yourself.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in the nonprofit space right now is that many organizations are pursuing funding without a clear strategy or structure in place. There’s a common misconception that grant funding is just about applying, when in reality it’s about how you’re positioned overall. Without the proper foundation, documentation, and alignment, it becomes difficult to secure and sustain funding. At the same time, this creates a major opportunity. Organizations that are willing to build strong systems, focus on outcomes, and approach funding strategically are in a much stronger position to grow and sustain their work.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Integrity, accountability, and service are the values that guide everything I do. Integrity is critical in my work, especially when managing funding and ensuring compliance. Accountability ensures that I maintain a high standard and follow through on what I’m responsible for. Service is what connects everything. Whether through my career, my business, or my involvement in the community, I believe in contributing to something greater than myself and creating meaningful impact.
