Liz Williams

Senior Program Officer, Career Academies

Inspiration: “Hope is the belief that our tomorrows can be better than our todays. Hope is not magic; hope is work.” ― DeRay Mckesson

What working in this community means to me: “I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to work in partnership with and to learn from community. To me, working in community means listening, honoring lived experience, centering youth voice and amplifying diversity in expertise.”

Liz Williams works with Greater Twin Cities United Way as a Program Officer for Career Academies, collaborating with school districts and partners to reimagine school systems as a lever for community wealth building. Liz works closely with our partners in Southwestern Minnesota and St. Paul Public Schools.

Before United Way Liz worked at Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center where she led work with charter school authorization and STEM career pathways.  She has taught and worked in both urban and rural communities in New Mexico and Minnesota and is a licensed teacher. She received her Bachelor of Arts from University of Minnesota and her Master of Education Policy and Management from Harvard.

Liz lives in the West Seventh neighborhood of St. Paul with her partner, two kids and loveable rottweiler. Liz also volunteers with community organizations and movements that center on racial and educational equity and empowering youth voices. Outside of work, Liz likes to spend time with friends and family, and stays active by playing ice hockey and exploring the city.