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February 17, 2025
CHIPPEWA VALLEY – A 37-year-old husband and father of four was named Outstanding Young Professional of the Chippewa Valley at the Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce 110th Annual Meeting held last month.
Dustin Johnston – a financial representative and part of the full-time selection team at Northwestern Mutual Eau Claire – was one of five young professionals nominated for the recognition by members of the chamber’s Young Professionals (YP) program for their efforts and work done within the organization in 2024.
“Members of the YP program nominate individuals they see as best fit for the award each year,” Kaitlyn Molis – director of Education and the Young Professionals at the chamber – said. “We use that information and the personal interactions that the chamber staff have with the individuals to select a recipient.”
The award
According to the chamber’s website (eauclairechamber.org), the Outstanding Young Professional Award is given to a YP member each year in appreciation of “adhering to the Core Values of the Young Professionals of the Chippewa Valley while going above and beyond for the success of the program as a whole. The core values are inclusivity, integrity, aspiration and fun.”
Johnston, Molis said, embodies everything it means to be a member of the Young Professionals of the Chippewa Valley.
“He consistently shows up, invests in bettering the organization and enhances the events YP offers through his involvement on the board and Professional Development Committee,” she said.
Known for his approachable and engaging personality, Molis said Johnston is “not only easy to talk to” but also encourages and supports young professionals at any point in their careers.
“His active involvement in growing the mentorship program, along with his dedication to helping members of the community reach their full potential, has made him a crucial part of YP and the board,” he said. “Dustin’s efforts have played a key role in bettering the YP program and making it a thriving resource for its members.”
Throughout his professional life – whether it was coaching college basketball after four years of playing himself, being COO of an engineering company or in his current role with Northwestern Mutual Eau Claire – Johnston said he has honed his skills in networking and leadership – consistently striving to help individuals and teams achieve their full potential.
“My approach is centered around empowering others, helping others realize that with the right mindset and processes around them, success and fulfillment can be a consistent reality in both the(ir) personal and professional journey,” he said.
Despite having transitioned across different sectors, Johnston said his core mission has remained the same – “lead by example, mentor emerging talent and create an environment where each team member feels valued and inspired.”
“I believe that effective selection is not just about finding the right fit but also about nurturing and developing future leaders,” he said.
Future plans with YP
Johnston is currently serving as the board chair for the Young Professionals of the Chippewa Valley, a position he said he’ll hold for all of 2025.
“He was the incoming chair last year,” Molis said. “He had also previously been the chair of the Professional Development committee.”
She said he helped set a clear vision for the Professional Development Committee – “what we are going to bring forth in professional development opportunities and educational workshops for YP members within the next year or two.”
Since its inception in September 2003, Molis said YP’s mission has been to engage, educate and elevate young professionals by offering diverse opportunities for networking, professional development and community involvement.
The organization, she said, also encourages young leaders in the community to engage socially, swap ideas and strategies and share common interests – all things she said Johnston embodies and has demonstrated.
“Dustin (has) integrity and is very inclusive when he’s working with young professionals, no matter what background they come from,” she said. “He’s very personable, and he puts a lot of thought into what he is saying and who he is speaking with.”
Molis said Johnston likes to make sure all of the board members are on board for what’s going on.
“He likes to have one-on-one meetings with folks – whether that’s board members or just general YP members to get a better feel for how they see the organization,” she said. “I think that personable touch helps him be able to tie his personal life into it. That wasn’t a key factor in why he received this award, but it’s just a really special thing about him and how he conducts himself.”
When not working or doing things related to the YP, Johnston said he enjoys spending time with his family, reading and running.
He said he’s a distance runner and participated in and helped organize the Eau Claire Half and Full Marathons.
Among his biggest goals for the future, he said, are to continuously grow personally and professionally.
Johnston said that includes building a practice and growing leaders within his company, raising his family and making sure his kids are well-grown, good citizens – something he said is always on his mind, especially when he makes his own decisions and sets his own examples for them to live by.
