Under his leadership, New Futures has sharpened its focus on associate degrees and career-aligned credentials that connect Scholars to high-growth industries. He has strengthened cross-sector partnerships, deepened employer engagement, and positioned the organization for long-term growth. This momentum was affirmed by a transformative $2 million award through MacKenzie Scott’s Yield Giving Open Call, recognizing both impact and potential.

With more than two decades of experience across higher education and the nonprofit sector, Dr. Williams brings expertise in strategy, organizational design, and equity-centered systems change. Prior to New Futures, he served as Chief of Staff and Managing Director at The Washington Center, where he led enterprise-wide operations, talent strategy, data infrastructure, and national workforce initiatives designed to expand access for underrepresented students. Before transitioning to national nonprofit leadership, he spent 13 years in higher education, holding leadership roles at the University of Massachusetts Boston and the University of Alabama at Birmingham focused on student success, community engagement, and institutional effectiveness.

As a first-generation college graduate, Dr. Williams understands firsthand the transformative power of public higher education and leads with both strategic rigor and deep personal conviction. He earned his Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration from the University of Massachusetts Boston, along with graduate and undergraduate degrees from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and completed Georgetown University’s Nonprofit Executive Leadership Program.