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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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