On Sept. 26, 2025, Mrs. Williams will be recognized for her legacy of breaking barriers and providing outstanding service to her community.
In recognition of being one of the few women of color to enter the financial sector during the 1980s, Mrs. Williams has been nominated as a Changemaker for her strength and bravery in guiding young women to display courage and character with confidence, instilling within them her legacy of empowerment and service to become the leaders of tomorrow.
“I am truly honored to be recognized as the 2025 Change Maker,” says Mrs. Williams. “This is my belief in the butterfly effect—how small moments shared with others can create opportunities we never imagined. Sometimes, just being present is enough to make a meaningful difference in a situation. Thank you for this incredible recognition, and for inspiring me to continue making a positive impact.”
Mrs. Williams built her career as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) with IBM (International Business Machines Corporation) and the Michigan Small Business & Technology Development Center. She went on to teach accounting and finance in higher education for over a decade. While embodying courage, Mrs. Williams simultaneously embodies compassion. She is an inspirational community advocate in Cincinnati, serving as a leader on numerous boards for nonprofit organizations within her community, including Girl Scouts of Western Ohio, Bethany House Services, Board of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Cincinnati, Cincinnati Shakespeare Theatre, and the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center.
Moreover, Mrs. Williams currently serves as the First Lady of Mount St. Joseph University, a role which she uses to help carry out the Mount’s Catholic mission of service, compassion, and charity. Here, she actively engages with students, faculty & staff, alumni, the Board of Trustees, and other University constituents by sponsoring, hosting, and co-hosting various programs, including health and wellness programs, and a variety of educational, cultural, and sporting events.
As First Lady, she holds national organization leadership roles within the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities (ACUU) and the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC) Presidential Spouse Task Forces, extending her impact far beyond Cincinnati. These roles provide a crucial platform for university presidential spouses to collaborate, share resources, and collectively shape their positions into a powerful force for advocacy within the higher education community.