Matthew Wesley Williams is the Senior Vice President for Community Development, Marketing, and Communications at Groundswell. Williams’ career spans leadership in higher education, philanthropy, religion, and public health, marked by his strategic expertise and dedication to equity.
Before his role at Groundswell, he served as the 11th President of the Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC), where he led during the tumultuous COVID-19 pandemic. His tenure brought significant achievements, including a 10-year reaffirmation of accreditation from the Association of Theological Schools, record-setting fundraising milestones, and the elimination of over $1 million in student debt through his “Jubilee” initiative. In recognition of his bold leadership, Williams was honored with the United Negro College Fund Billye Suber Aaron Masked Award in December 2023.
Before his presidency at ITC, Williams served as Vice President of Strategic Initiatives at the Forum for Theological Exploration (FTE). Over 15 years, he played a key role in repositioning FTE as a leadership incubator for emerging scholars and leaders in the U.S. and Canada. His work in capacity-building helped senior leaders in higher education and faith-based organizations navigate strategic challenges, particularly around diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Earlier in his career, Williams contributed to public health initiatives as a coordinator for the National Black Leadership Initiative on Cancer at Morehouse School of Medicine. In this role, he supported community-based research and advocacy efforts for 16 cancer coalitions across the American South, focusing on health equity and policy education.
A published author, Williams co-wrote Another Way: Living and Leading Change on Purpose (2020), offering insights on innovative leadership. His academic achievements include a Master of Divinity from ITC and dual bachelor’s degrees in Psychology and Philosophy & Religion from Florida A&M University, where he was inducted into the College of Social Sciences, Arts, and Humanities (CSSAH) Gallery of Distinction in 2020.
A thriving cancer survivor, Williams aligns his leadership with his passions for health equity, education, racial justice, economic democracy, and ecological well-being.