Board of Directors

ESN Vice President:

Carolyn Williams, MPA, ACC

Carolyn Williams partners with nonprofit leaders and organizations to create meaningful change.  She is a professional, certified executive coach and volunteers as a restorative justice mediator working with youth, impacted persons, and families to achieve mutually agreeable outcomes.  With more than 35 years in consulting and corporate America, her experience covers organizational development, training and development, and corporate philanthropy. 

Ms. Williams is currently Co-Chair of the Los Angeles County Citizens Independent Redistricting Commission. She also serves on a number of local boards, which include the Dymally Institute at CSU Dominguez Hills (founding board chair), Center for Nonprofit Management, Towne Street Theater, Lynwood Education Partners Foundation, Executive Support Network, and Women in Leadership Vital Voices (executive committee).  Other past involvement includes founding board member/Emeritus USC Price School of Public Policy, Downtown Women’s Center (former board chair), United Way Community Investment Committee, USC Black Alumni, Council on Foundations Corporate Committee, and the Conference Board Education Committee.

Ms. Williams has been recognized for her community leadership by Centinela Youth Services, All Peoples Community Center, the Downtown Women’s Center, United Way of Greater Los Angeles, National College Resources Foundation, Southeast Communities Intervention & Prevention Programs, NAACP Legal Defense Fund, Sickle Cell Disease Research Foundation, and the Greater African American Chamber of Commerce, among others. 

Ms. Williams holds a B.A. in psychology from Louisiana Tech University, a Master of Public Administration from USC, and professional certificates from the Center for Creative Leadership, International Coach Federation, Boston College, USC, the Center for Nonprofit Management, and the Association for Talent Development. She has done other graduate-level study at CSU LA (Psychology), Cal Poly Pomona (Business Management) and completed all Ph.D. coursework in applied behavioral science at USC. She is also a fellow/graduate of California Connections, Leadership California, Leadership Southern California, and the Management Action Program.  She enjoys theater, traveling, reading, and has one son, Joshua, who is a chef/actor/singer.