Her Story
About Amanda
Amanda (AJ) Johnson, BSHR, is a seasoned business and financial operations professional serving as East Division Sales Audit Manager at Martin Marietta. With 28 years of dedicated experience with the organization, she has built a distinguished career defined by operational excellence, financial acumen, process improvement, and a commitment to developing people. Amanda began her career with Martin Marietta after being recruited from a training company where she taught Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Her analytical mindset, attention to detail, and ability to identify opportunities for greater efficiency enabled her to progress into Sales Audit leadership and ultimately help establish and shape the Sales Audit Manager position. Today, she leads a team responsible for supporting accurate, consistent, and effective sales audit and billing processes across the East Division. Amanda is a strong advocate for professional development and a relentless pursuit of growth. She holds a B.S. in Human Resources Management from Western Governors University and is currently leveling up her expertise with a Master’s in Management and Leadership from the same institution. This dedication to lifelong learning highlights her deep commitment to sharpening her business acumen and refining her leadership skills—proving she doesn't just manage teams; she aims to inspire them. Her leadership philosophy is grounded in faith, integrity, accountability, compassion, and service. She believes effective leadership extends beyond achieving organizational objectives; it also involves recognizing potential, mentoring others, creating opportunities for growth, and helping future leaders build the confidence and skills necessary to succeed. Working within an industry that actively champions new voices has solidified her dedication to supporting women throughout their career progression. Outside of her career, Amanda is deeply committed to her faith, family, and community. For nearly a decade, she has led a women's group at her church, providing encouragement, fellowship, and support to those around her. Her faith serves as a foundation for the way she approaches leadership, relationships, and everyday decisions, inspiring her to lead with honesty, humility, and compassion. Amanda takes great pride not only in the career she has built over nearly three decades, but also in the people she has mentored and the opportunities she has helped create. Her journey reflects a powerful combination of perseverance, continuous learning, purposeful leadership, and a genuine desire to make a positive difference in the lives of others.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Amanda
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success first and foremost to my faith, which has guided me through every stage of my personal and professional journey. I strive to lead and serve others with integrity, compassion, accountability, and humility while remaining committed to continuous learning and improvement. Over my 28-year career with one organization, I have embraced new challenges, adapted to change, pursued higher education, and remained open to opportunities that allowed me to grow. I also credit strong mentors, persistence, attention to detail, analytical thinking, and a willingness to step outside my comfort zone. One of my greatest sources of professional fulfillment has been helping develop and establish a Sales Audit leadership role that created new systems and opportunities for others. Ultimately, I believe success is not measured only by personal accomplishments, but by the positive impact we make, the people we mentor, and the foundation we build for those who follow.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I ever received came from a supportive female manager who recognized my leadership potential and encouraged me to pursue opportunities for growth. She advocated for me, challenged me to step outside my comfort zone, and helped create opportunities that allowed me to develop my skills and confidence. That experience taught me the lasting impact a mentor can have by believing in someone before they fully recognize their own potential. I carry that lesson with me today by encouraging, mentoring, and developing others, because I believe great leaders do more than build successful careers—they empower others to discover their strengths, reach their potential, and become future leaders.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women bringing new viewpoints to a traditional industry is to find a strong mentor and surround yourself with people who will genuinely support your growth. Seek mentors and advocates who will challenge you, provide honest and constructive guidance, recognize your potential, and remind you of your capabilities when self-doubt or imposter syndrome takes hold. Do not feel that you need to have everything figured out before pursuing your next opportunity; remain curious, ask questions, continue learning, and build your expertise through the quality and consistency of your work. Most importantly, when you earn your place at the table, use your experience and influence to help another woman find hers.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges I have experienced throughout my career has been working in an industry where women have historically had to work harder to establish their credibility and earn a voice in spaces largely dominated by men. However, I am encouraged by the progress I have witnessed over the past 28 years, with more women entering engineering, operations, management, and leadership roles and bringing valuable perspectives to the industry. I see tremendous opportunity in continuing to expand that representation and create more inclusive pathways for women to advance. I believe mentorship, intentional professional development, and strong support systems will be critical to ensuring women not only enter these fields but also have the confidence, resources, and opportunities to grow into influential leaders.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that are most important to me in both my work and personal life are faith, integrity, compassion, family, and service. These principles guide how I lead, make decisions, build relationships, and treat the people around me. My faith and involvement in my church community, including leading a women’s group, continually remind me of the importance of encouraging and supporting others. Professionally, I believe integrity and compassion are essential to effective leadership and lasting relationships. Above all, my family keeps me grounded and reminds me that success is not measured only by what I accomplish for myself, but also by the example I set, the people I encourage, and what my perseverance, love, and faith make possible for the next generation.
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