‘Will you be my best friend?’ How Lumen’s Kate Johnson turned a breakfast into a CEO partnership

Summary: Lumen Technologies CEO Kate Johnson said her friendship with EY global chair and CEO Janet Truncale began with an unexpected conversation at breakfast.

Johnson shared the story at the Fortune Most Powerful Women Summit, explaining that a simple decision to sit beside Truncale at a Business Roundtable event developed into a personal connection between two prominent business leaders.

A direct introduction

The meeting took place a few years ago, when Johnson noticed Truncale eating breakfast alone. Rather than pass by, Johnson sat next to her and made an unusually direct request: “Will you be my best friend?”

Johnson said she was “looking for connection” so she could have a better day. Her comment underscores the personal motivation behind the introduction, rather than presenting it as a formal business meeting or planned networking exchange.

Why the encounter stands out

Both women hold senior roles in major companies. Johnson leads Lumen Technologies, while Truncale serves as EY’s global chair and CEO. Their connection began informally, in a setting where business leaders were gathered, but Johnson described the interaction in personal terms.

The account offers a glimpse into how relationships among senior executives can begin: not necessarily through scheduled meetings or formal introductions, but through a straightforward effort to make contact.

A personal lesson from the summit

Johnson’s story was shared as part of her appearance at the Fortune summit. The central takeaway was the value she placed on seeking connection, even in a brief and ordinary moment such as breakfast.

While the source does not detail how the relationship developed afterward, Johnson’s account makes clear that the initial exchange with Truncale became meaningful to her.