Early Life
Abigail Pierrepont Johnson was born on December 19, 1961, in Boston, Massachusetts. She is the granddaughter of Edward C. Johnson II, who founded Fidelity Investments in 1946. Growing up in a family immersed in the financial industry, Johnson attended Buckingham Browne & Nichols School and graduated from William Smith College with a bachelor's degree in art history in 1984. She later earned an MBA from Harvard Business School in 1988.
Rise to Success
After graduating from Harvard Business School in 1988, Johnson joined Fidelity Investments as an analyst and portfolio manager. She steadily climbed the ranks, becoming President of Fidelity Asset Management in 2001. In 2012, she was named President of Fidelity Financial Services, and in 2014, she became CEO of Fidelity Investments. In November 2016, she was named Chairman, giving her full control of Fidelity.
Key Business Strategies
Under Johnson's leadership, Fidelity has embraced technological advancements, including cryptocurrency investments. In 2018, Fidelity launched a platform for institutional investors to trade Bitcoin and Ether. She has also focused on expanding Fidelity's offerings in financial advice, brokerage services, and venture capital, while reducing the company's reliance on open-ended mutual funds.
Philanthropy
Abigail Johnson is known for her commitment to philanthropy and serves as the Chair of the Fidelity Charitable Board of Trustees. She has facilitated significant charitable contributions through Fidelity Charitable, supporting numerous nonprofit organizations focused on education, healthcare, and the arts.
