John R. Williams Email & Phone Number

Chicago, Il, Us

Myanmar

Manages a national and regional grant portfolio of over $6.5 million focused on research, community strengthening, conflict resilience, enhancing trust and social cohesion, advocacy, and human rights. Oversees day-to-day operations of a regional field office of 5 personnel in Kachin State. Serves on the project Senior Management Team, contributing to overall vision and management of the project and interfacing with client on areas of responsibility.

Provided a range of consulting services to for-purpose organizations and businesses, including: strategic planning, communications, grant and contract proposal development and review, staff recruitment and capacity development, program design, and project management.

Chicago, Illinois, United States

Led development and implementation of first comprehensive public affairs and communications strategy for the University of Chicago Crime Lab & Education Lab, including process and organizational change management. Co-led the development of a new organizational structure, contributed to the refocusing of organization's development strategy including serving as liaison for key major funders, and helped implement the first development and CRM system (Salesforce).

Chicago, Il

Led foundation’s first major evaluation strategy, first website launch, revamped communications plan and overall brand relaunch. Managed Jewish values grant portfolio in the U.S. and Israel as well as communications-focused grants in other investment areas. Steered definition of new grantmaking portfolio with investments in violence reduction, environmental justice and civic engagement strategies. Directed foundation’s grants management team, including business process improvement and software tool optimization for foundation’s approximately $15 million annual giving.

Chicago, Il/Multiple

Advised companies and non-profits on business development, shared value, corporate social responsibility, sustainability, and change management strategies including developed a start-ups social impact offering and strategy, advising one of the top 10 largest corporate foundations on their investment strategy, and consulting on business development opportunities for U.S. government contractors in the international development space.

Chicago, Il, Washington, Dc And Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

Served as Deputy Chief of Party of a $34.7 million USAID-funded small grants political transition program, including overseeing project operations and an expatriate and local team of 30. Supervised budgeting, quality assurance and implementation of over 300 grants, totaling $15 million in funding.Formulated business unit new business capture strategy, including the first successful proposal for business with a new client for over $22 million.Managed a five-year, $150-200 million US Agency for International Development (USAID) new business portfolio for Integrated Learning Solutions and Relief and Reconstruction business areas, winning over $80 million in new business in FY2012.

Washington D.C. Metro Area

Identified, recruited, and placed candidates in difficult to staff field positions on projects throughout the world as well as carried out new business development trips to Afghanistan and the West Bank/Gaza.

Washington D.C. Metro Area

Consultancies and Projects Completed during and immediately after graduate school program:-The Avascent Group: Researched trends in next-generation space launch technology and analyzed Congressional and Presidential candidate priorities for NASA.-YWCA USA: Identified key members of Congress and prepared background materials for YWCA USA’s national lobby day. -Hillary Clinton for President (NH and CT: Engaged constituent community leadership to persuade and turn out supporters. Recruited, organized and managed over 70 volunteers. Exceeded expectations to secure victories in assigned regions.-PLAN USA: Coordinated and drafted proposal documents as part of a grant proposal process for children’s health initiatives in three sub-Saharan African countries.-The Middle East Institute: Edited and proofread articles for The Middle East Journal and Institute publications. Conducted research for a scholar-in-residence on liberalization in the Gulf monarchies.-Creative Associates International, Inc.: Drafted and posted position advertisements, culled resume responses, and pursued contacts to fill positions for an Afghanistan education project.

Washington D.C. Metro Area

• Contributed to budget and program plans, and recruited key expatriate staff for $15 million USAID-funded Liberia Transition Initiative. Deployed 21 development experts to Iraq. Supported regional business development in East Africa including opening of a regional office in Nairobi.

Washington, Dc

• Researched emerging opportunities, competitive environments, strategic alliances, and mergers and acquisitions in the US, Canada, Europe and Israel; evaluated developing markets in the Middle East, Asia, and Latin America.

M.A., International Development And Economics

B.A., International Relations And Affairs

Activities and Societies: Kappa Sigma Fraternity, University Singers, Student Senate

Middle East Politics & Culture

Visiting Students Program, Spring Semester - 2001