Zara Johnson serves as corporate officer and business manager at Cicero’s Development Corporation. A shining star at Cicero’s for more than 22 years, Zara’s organization, skill set, passion and commitment to implementing best practices and procedures have played at paramount role in the company’s 40 year record of achievement.

A native of Louisiana, Zara was raised with strong spiritual and family values, with education playing the central role in shaping the person she is today. She developed a passion for community service after observing her parents, both educators, help provide housing, clothing, transportation, education and other services to those less fortunate.

Throughout her career, Zara has served on the fundraising committees for the Cancer Treatment Research Foundation, La Rabida Children’s Hospital, Lifelink Corporation, The Exchange Club of Naperville and most recently, the Proviso Leyden Council for Community Action, Inc. (PLCCA) and Komen Chicago Race for the cure.

For her outstanding vision and commitment to improving community development and programming, Zara was honored in June, 2010 as PLCCA’s Business Person of the Year. Along with this award, The Zara Johnson Scholarship was established by the owners of Cicero’s, Samuel J. Cicero and Samuel E. Cicero, Jr. This scholarship was opened to candidates who have benefited from PLCCA and are pursuing a career in architecture, engineering or construction.

On February 11, 2011, Zara was crowned Mrs. Illinois/America 2011 and went on to compete in the Mrs. America Pageant in White Sulfur Springs, West Virginia at the fabulous Greenbrier Resort. Although she didn’t walk away with the crown, she did win the first place award as "Facebook's Fantastic Face".

As a breast cancer survivor, Zara is determined to help continue to bring awareness to this disease by educating, empowering and encouraging those diagnosed with this horrific disease. She has accepted the challenge of becoming a peer counselor with the Y-ME breast cancer organization.

A resident of Plainfield, Illinois, Zara is supported by a loving family, including her husband Hank; two adult sons, Rodney (Shelley) and D.J. (Shavon) and two adorable grandchildren, Bradyn and Brycen.