We are creative problem-solvers who believe that transformative change is both necessary and possible. We have a bias for action and pursue our work with humility. With a fierce commitment to centering community and social change, we have decades of experience in activism, philanthropy, public policy, and social entrepreneurship.
Our Story
Whitney Williams
CEO + FOUNDER
Whitney Williams has worked on the front lines of domestic and global development for two decades. Her core skill is forging teams of divergent, unlikely, and powerful players to advance the common good worldwide.
She established williamsworks to serve individuals, foundations, and advocacy organizations by bringing clients’ goals into sharper focus and by guiding action to achieve those goals. Whitney’s deep experience in strategy, government relations, and grassroots advocacy inform and develop solutions that are creative, unique, and appropriate to the needs of clients.
Whitney is personally involved in developing strategies, positioning clients, and her in-depth understanding of the complexity of working in communities worldwide ensures that clients’ grant-making and advocacy succeed.
Before founding williamsworks, she served in pivotal roles, on the senior staff of Casey Family Programs and in the White House for First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton.
Dedication to the common good and public service runs in Whitney’s family. Her mother, Carol Williams, was the first woman elected as both the majority and minority leader of the Montana Senate, and her father, Pat Williams, served as Montana’s distinguished Congressman for nine terms.
Whitney is a graduate of the University of Montana. She, and her English Shepherd, Seamus, live in Missoula, where Whitney is an active volunteer. She serves on the Board of Carol’s List, an organization working to recruit Democratic, pro-choice, women to run for office in Montana. Whitney is also Vice Chair of the Board of Alight, one of the nation’s largest humanitarian organizations supporting displaced people.
Whitney also serves as co-founder and vice-chair of the board for the Eastern Congo Initiative, the first U.S. based advocacy and grant-making organization focused solely on working with and for the people of Eastern Congo. In this role, she oversees millions of dollars in grants to dozens of local Congolese community-based organizations, as well as a broad U.S. and international advocacy agenda to foster sound public policy for the DRC.
Believing in the transformative power of storytelling to shape culture and history, Whitney founded SB Stories, where she helps bring historically underrepresented communities’ stories to life.
Our Team
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Aidan is a recent graduate of Santa Clara University. Compelled by his fascination with the human mind, Aidan infused disciplines of neuroscience, psychology, philosophy, and computer science to create a Cognitive Science degree; a first-of-its-kind to be offered. In addition to creating his own major, he worked as a Research Assistant in the Computational Cognitive Neuroscience Lab where he conducted research on the organization of semantic representations in the brain. Outside of academia, Aidan has worked on political campaigns, startups, and was previously an intern at williamsworks where his interest in social impact consulting was realized. His experience growing up amongst a family with generations of public servants, artists, and teachers instilled in him a passion for social justice and change making.
Aidan calls San Francisco home. On the weekends you can find him playing golf or caddying for someone who is, playing with any dog he can find, listening to live music, or spending time laughing with friends and family.
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Lucy Hendrickson is a recent graduate of the University of Montana in Missoula. She studied English and Climate Change Studies, coupling her passions of writing and the environment to create a unique and rewarding collegiate experience. Lucy has found a home in Missoula, where mountains and rivers bring her peace and inspiration. She feels a great privilege to be able to explore the lands of Western Montana. Lucy’s interests in social justice and equal rights have flourished during her four years at williamsworks. She is energized by this work and humbled to be a part of this incredible team doing good in the world.
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Born and raised in Puerto Rico, Amarilys has nine years of experience in multimedia production and strategic digital media management and coordination. Her scope of work focuses on collaborating with educational and non-profit organizations to increase their impact and fulfill their mission.
Recently, she volunteered and worked with the organization TECHO during their disaster relief efforts in Puerto Rico following hurricanes Irma and Maria. Supporting the coordination during the construction of 58 emergency houses with more than 500 volunteers.
As a volunteer of Mentes Puertorriqueñas en Acción, she traveled around the island to identify immediate needs that communities and families faced after the hurricanes.
Picking coffee, and looking for berries and mandarins around her grandmother’s farm, is where she developed a strong understanding of Puerto Rico’s incredible resources.That understanding fuels her passion towards community development, social equality, agriculture and environmental causes.
She has also worked as a director, videographer, production coordinator, and editor of a variety of documentary and short film projects.
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Julie Hughes currently serves as Senior Advisor at Williams Works. She has over 36 years of experience working in the field of democracy and governance, and more than 12 years of experience leading and implementing democracy oriented projects in the Middle East and Africa.
As a communications professional, Julie used these experiences to inform the design and execution of successful public education campaigns to raise awareness around the Global HIV/AIDS epidemic and combat the stigma associated with seeking psychological health care in the US military. The Apathy is Lethal campaign, sponsored by the UN Foundation and endorsed by the Advertising Council of America, generated more than $30million in donated media and generated $3 million in private sector small dollar donations to the Global Fund for AIDS, TB and Malaria. The Real Warriors Campaign, sponsored by the Department of Defense, was a 3 year social marketing campaign that aired in regular rotation on the global Armed Forces Radio and Television Network, and was found by independent evaluators to have served as an effective tool to combating stigma among military and veteran audiences. Both campaigns involved television, radio, print and digital distribution channels as well as marketing that included celebrity engagement, civil society partnership, and events.
Ms. Hughes has designed, developed, implemented, and evaluated numerous multi-million dollar U.S.-funded democracy programs related to electoral support, long-term political party development, the political engagement of women, and civic activism. Julie has also built and maintained effective nationwide democracy assistance programs in several conflict-ravaged and politically charged environments. Ms. Hughes served as Country Director for the National Democratic Institute in Libya and Egypt, and for the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) in Kenya; in each case implementing large U.S.-supported programs to strengthen political pluralism and effective governance in dynamic and challenging environments. She has organized and conducted hundreds of advocacy events, conferences, workshops and training sessions for thousands of individuals including government ministers, political party leaders, members of parliament, parliamentary and political party staff, and civic leaders in the United States, Southern Africa, North Africa and Iraq. Ms. Hughes also has extensive experience in public opinion research, designing and analyzing numerous initiatives to assist political actors in targeted voter outreach in the U.S. and six other countries.
Prior to her career in international development, Ms. Hughes worked in the United States Congress for more than 8 years supporting the legislative and political campaigns of several former Democratic Members of Congress, including: Senator Brock Adams, Senator Carl Levin, Senator Frank Lautenberg, Senator Max Baucus, and Congressman Sam Coppersmith.
Ms. Hughes holds a Bachelor of Art in Political Science from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan, has a 3-legged dog named Freddie, and is a passionate advocate for animal adoption.
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Congressman Pat Williams’ career has been dedicated to strengthening America’s education system, making schools safer for our children, fighting for the underprivileged and protecting his home state of Montana’s special places for future generations. Starting as a teacher in Butte, as a state legislator, then as Montana’s Congressman and as a faculty member at the University of Montana, Pat has remained devoted to serving the people of Montana and making it a better place for future generations.
Pat was elected to the Montana House of Representatives from Silver Bow County in 1966, winning re-election in 1968. After two terms in the Montana Legislature, from 1969–1971, he served as executive assistant to Montana Congressman John Melcher. He also served as a member of the Governor’s Employment and Training Council from 1972 to 1978, and as a member of the first Montana Reapportionment Commission, from 1972 to 1973.
Pat was elected to represent Montana in Congress for nine terms, from 1979 to 1997 – more consecutive terms in the U.S. House than anyone in Montana’s history. During his tenure, Pat’s leadership helped pass trailblazing legislation to assist hard-working middle-class families and ensure opportunities for every child. He sat on committees on: Budget, Natural Resources, Education and Labor, and Agriculture. Within Education and Labor he chaired the committees on Post-Secondary Education and Labor Management, driving landmark legislation like The College Middle Income Assistance Act. As a Deputy Whip of the U.S. House of Representatives, Pat had legislative process jurisdiction over the many congressional bills affecting workplace legislation, including sponsorship of the first piece of legislation signed into law by President Clinton: The Family and Medical Leave Act, which helped make sure workers wouldn’t lose their jobs during maternity leave or while caring for a sick family member.
Among his many other legislative accomplishments are The Toddlers and Childhood Disability Act, and sponsorship of both The Library Services and Construction Act and The Museum Services Act, which were reauthorized under his leadership.
Pat sponsored successful legislation designating both the Lee Metcalf Wilderness Area north of Yellowstone Park and the Rattlesnake Wilderness area north of Missoula, Montana. He led the successful legislative effort to save the Bob Marshall Wilderness from oil and gas exploration, and helped ban geothermal energy drilling near the borders of Yellowstone National Park.
As Chairman of The Post-Secondary Education Committee, he protected the National Endowment for the Arts from elimination, a remarkable undertaking during a very trying time for the Agency. Pat was unwavering in his defense of freedom of speech and creativity and is widely recognized as the leader who saved the NEA during the 1990’s.
Pat worked tirelessly with Tribal College Leaders to build Montana’s seven Tribal Colleges. Working together, they fought to establish the High School at the Northern Cheyenne Reservation and the Two River Eagle School on the Flathead Reservation in Pablo, Montana. He was also responsible for the legislation that created The American Conservation Corps, which became the Corporation for National Service, giving thousands of America’s young people a chance to serve their country and pursue higher education. Every state and many cities now have Conservation Corps; some cities refer to the program as “City Year.”
A third generation Montanan, Pat is an educator by profession. Upon retiring from Congress, he returned home to Montana where he continued his career as a faculty member at the University of Montana in Missoula, teaching courses in environmental studies, history, and political science.
While at the University of Montana, Pat was Senior Fellow and Regional Policy associate at the Center for the Rocky Mountain West and he served on numerous national governing Boards. He served as a Trustee or Director for the National Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges, the National Association of Job Corps and The President’s Advisory Commission for Tribal Colleges.
Pat was on the Board of Directors of the Student Loan Marketing Association, the now disbanded GSE subsidiary of U.S.A. Education (Sallie Mae), and led the development of Western Progress, a policy think tank which has offices in multiple states throughout the West. Pat was responsible for the legislative creation of the Rural Disabilities National Research Lab and the Leopold Wilderness Research Institute, both at the University of Montana. He also led the legislative effort to create The Agriculture Plant Research Center at Montana State University in Bozeman, Montana.
Appointed by former Governor Brian Schweitzer, Pat served as a member of the Board of Regents of the Montana University System in 2012 and 2013. He has honorary degrees from Carroll College in Helena, Montana and Rocky Mountain College in Billings, MT.
He lives in Missoula with his wife, former Montana Senate Majority Leader Carol Williams.
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Carol Williams’ career as an activist, peacemaker, educator, mother and grandmother has spanned four decades. As a passionate civil servant, Carol has dedicated her life to representing the people of Montana, maintaining a clean and healthy environment for future generations, promoting peace, and advocating for the rights of women and children. She spent more than a decade as a Montana state legislator, first in the state House of Representatives, and later in the state Senate from 2004 – 2012, and rose to become the State Senate’s first female Minority and Majority Leader.
Carol was Montana’s Democratic nominee for Lt. Governor in 2000, running on a ticket which championed Montana’s Native Americans and helped to usher in a record number of Native American Montana legislators that year.
During her tenure in the Montana Senate, Carol served on the Finance and Claims, Law and Justice, Public Health and Local Government Committees, and was the Chair of the Senate Rules Committee. She successfully sponsored and passed legislation to ensure all of Montana’s children have access to full day kindergarten, a first for the state. She also co-sponsored legislation affirming the state’s responsibility to include the history of Montana’s Native American community as a component of all state school curricula.
Other legislative achievements include sponsorship of legislation establishing special education programs for Montana’s schools, several bills expanding the public rights of nursing mothers, and co-sponsorship of numerous bills supporting healthcare, environmental protection and education. Carol was also Chairwoman of a successful ballot initiative to expand Montana’s child health insurance coverage by raising the poverty level.
Prior to her career as a legislator, Carol worked as a non-profit executive and educator, which shaped her understanding and appreciation of public service. Carol began her career as a Head Start teacher in her hometown of Butte. In 1985 she co-founded and served as executive director of Peace Links, an international women’s organization dedicated to expanding the role of women in U.S. national security discussions. What started as a project by a group of Congressional wives, turned into a global peacemaking and cultural exchange platform which connected more than 35,000 American and Russian women via pen pal programs to promote cultural understanding during a time of uncertainty. Carol was later appointed as a delegate to the 1995 UN Conference on the Status of Women in Beijing, and on behalf of the U.S. Department of State traveled to Kyrgyzstan to work on special democracy-building projects encouraging women to run for office.
Carol is married to Pat Williams, a former nine-term Congressman from Montana and also an advisor to williamsworks. She remains active in the Missoula community, continuing to champion issues related to women’s rights and education and serving on a variety of boards, including the Missoula Community Foundation, Montanan magazine, and the National Board of the Delegation of Women. She also founded the Montana Majority PAC, later named Carol’s List, which helps recruit and support Democratic women candidates for office in the state of Montana. Carol has twice received the Jeanette Rankin Peace Award, in addition to the AFL-CIO Lifetime Achievement Award, the Peace Links International Woman of Vision Award, the Montana Conservation Champion Award, and was named the 1990 Western Montana College Alumni of the Year.
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TJ (she/her) is a senior at the University of Washington in Seattle, where she will be getting a degree in Political Science, with minors in Law, Societies, and Justice and the Comparative History of Ideas. During her time at the UW, TJ has served as a Campus Tour Guide, a student senator, Teach for America Ignite Fellow, and as the Vice President of Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity for the UW Panhellenic Association.
TJ originally hails from Scottsdale, Arizona and growing up in the Arizona public school system initially inspired her passion of working in education reform. She also spends her time working as the Operations Support Specialist for Social Responsibility Speaks, LLC., where she first discovered her love of the social justice and community education consulting world.
Outside of school and work, TJ loves cooking, playing/watching sports, mixing music, roadtripping, and soaking up any rays of sun she can get her hands on in Seattle!
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Rebecca is a fourth-year public relations student at the University of Georgia. During her time on campus, she held the role of UGA Director of Communications for HERO for Children, a Georgia non-profit committed to improving the quality of life for children impacted by HIV/AIDS. In 2018, she actively contributed to the Atlanta outreach for March for Our Lives, an experience that significantly influenced her dedication to public service.
Beyond work and school, Rebecca finds joy in exploring the outdoors, expressing herself through singing and playing the guitar, and coming up with new recipes in the kitchen.
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Heather has more than two decades of experience working in fast-moving and high-stakes roles at the intersection of finance, social impact, policy, communications, and politics. She has been a trusted advisor to elected officials and HNW principals including Senator Joe Lieberman, Rep. Zoe Lofgren. and Rep. Barney Frank; she served two stints in the Obama Administration under Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner, and Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano; and worked for Tom Steyer, H.R.H. Prince Harry, and Niklas Zennstrom. She has built and led teams through major events including the 2007-2009 global financial crisis, Hurricane Sandy, and the Boston Marathon Bombing.
She is deeply passionate about creating innovative and impactful strategies, and across her various roles has mounted effective and bold campaigns and initiatives including building NextGen Climate Super PAC, and the opposition to the Keystone XL pipeline; and co-founding with Prince Harry, Travalyst, a first of its kind private sector initiative to accelerate sustainability in travel and tourism, as well as supporting his royal patronages in the areas of HIV/AIDs, sport for social change, mental health, and conservation.
Heather holds BA in Mass Communications from UC Berkeley, and an MSc in Politics and Communications from the London School of Economics and Political Science. She is a native Californian and currently resides in London with her English bulldog Rigby.
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Mika Rao is a public affairs and communications strategist committed to driving progress for organizations and communities. She believes in the power of words and brings two decades of elevating philanthropic goals through media engagement, storytelling, events, and other targeted strategies designed to drive awareness and action. Mika began her career as a change management consultant with Accenture and since then taken on high-impact roles at The LifeLink Foundation, Memorial Hermann Health System, Teach For America and Transcend while also continuing to support clients through her firm, Rao Communications.
Mika holds a bachelor of arts in communications from the University of Pennsylvania and a master’s degree in science from Boston University. She is active in the community and has served on the boards of community-based organizations, including the League of Women Voters and Daya Houston, a non profit that supports survivors of domestic violence. Her writing has been published in numerous outlets and was featured in Legacy: An Asian American Anthology. Mika is a resident of the greater Houston area where she lives with her terrific husband. She is the proud mom of two college students and her devoted officemate/ dog.