Paul D. Williams

Humphrey School of Public Affairs, February 2, 2017

Paul D. Williams, president and CEO, Project for Pride in Living, received a degree in management of public and nonprofit organizations, social policy, in 1990 from the Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota. He is described as someone who is making a real difference in people’s lives and in the future prosperity of our region and state. Williams has served as a dynamic leader with three decades of experience in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. At the United Way of St. Paul, he oversaw the distribution of more than $20 million in annual funding for community service organizations. As program officer at the Saint Paul Foundation, he created the Diversity Endowment Funds; and, as program manager at the Minneapolis Foundation, he designed and implemented the Building Better Futures Initiative, an effort to reduce child poverty. From philanthropy, he then moved to community development financing the Local Initiatives Support Coalition; first as its Twin Cities executive director and later as vice president responsible for national strategy, implementation, and field programs. Williams next served as deputy mayor of St. Paul, with the responsibility for the oversight of a 3,000 employee, $550 million municipal enterprise. Since 2014, he has served as president and CEO of Project for Pride in Living, a large nonprofit organization that provides affordable and support housing, employment readiness training, and customized human services to participants throughout the Twin Cities area. Williams is also a dedicated and active alumnus, serving on the Humphrey School’s Alumni Board, as a mentor, and as a popular guest speaker and panelist.