Kansas ACLU’s executive director steps down

TOPEKA — The American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas announced Thursday executive director Nadine Johnson has stepped down.

Johnson, whose last day was July 2, said her family had an out-of-state opportunity they could not pass up.

Before joining the ACLU in June 2019, Johnson worked at Google in Los Angles. She is a former constitutional law professor and is also an attorney with experience spanning the public and private sectors.

Johnson succeeded Micah Kubic, who led the Kansas branch of the civil rights organization for four years before leaving to lead the ACLU of Florida, as executive director.

Vanessa Phipps, an HR and corporate leadership consultant, will serve as interim director. Phipps has worked with the affiliate staff in a consultant role since last fall.

The ACLU has already launched its search for the next executive director.