Louise Williams Email and Phone Number

On behalf of DT Global's Economic Growth practice, I championed policies and interventions that support transparent, inclusive enabling environments for economic growth at the local, regional, and national levels, while creating sustainable, next-generation opportunities for communities and businesses. Special emphasis on sound legal and regulatory infrastructure, private-sector engagement, women's economic empowerment, and digital development. Led teams and helped frame vision and roll-out for implementation of the USAID-Somalia Market-Based Resilience for Marginalized Populations activity.

Following a rich and refreshing "self-sabbatical" in 2019, I worked independently to conceive, design, and implement projects that contribute to transparent systems of commercial law and regulation, next-generation opportunities for private-sector development and cross-border trade, and dynamic approaches to realizing the full economic potential of women. Representative clients in 2020 included Nathan Associates, DAI Global UK, Ltd., Gender Resources, Inc. (GRI), and Banyan Global.

Provided senior-level expertise on legal and institutional issues that impact the capacity of developing economies to participate in regional and global trading systems. Special emphasis on business enabling environments; economy preparedness for digital trade; data-driven development solutions; issues of labor and workforce development; and gender equality and women’s economic empowerment. Frequent speaker on promoting enabling environments for doing business, especially with respect to the digital economy and women workers, professionals, and entrepreneurs. Technical lead on a range of proposals and activities that led to expanded firm business and exposure. (Principal Associate; assumed leadership of Private Sector Development practice in January 2018.)

Independent consultant in high demand, assisting government agencies, for-profit contractors, and non-profit organizations in conceiving and executing projects that strengthen laws and build the capacities of institutions that support efficient, reliable and inclusive systems of economic development, trade, democracy, and governance. Key Personnel (2006-11) for the USAID Business Climate Legal and Institutional Reform (BizCLIR) project, implemented by Booz Allen. Clients included Nathan Associates; Chemonics; Fintrac; Booz Allen Hamilton; Development Alternatives, Inc.; Checchi and Company; Associates in Rural Development; the Emerging Markets Group; the Research Triangle Institute; Abt Associates; the ABA Rule of Law Initiative; and others. Illustrative activities include:- Development of analytical tools for clarity of understanding of business enabling environments, including BizCLIR, AgCLIR II, and the Regional Agricultural Trade Environment (RATE) assessment for ASEAN.- In-country analysis and consultations on matters of the economic impacts of transparency, gender equality, use of contracts, access to information, and other key features of successful market economies. - Creation of tools of analysis, training and measurement of women's economic empowerment, with an emphasis on women's professional development, entrepreneurship, and access to markets. - Design, management and implementation of projects undertaken in Liberia, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Cambodia, Thailand, Ukraine, Mozambique, India, Bangladesh, South Africa, Tanzania, Congo (DRC), Kosovo, Lao PDR, Philippines, Afghanistan, Egypt, Rwanda, Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, Vietnam, the West Bank, Macedonia, and several Caribbean states.

Promoted and managed Committee’s relationships with outside agencies and organizations, including USAID, U.S. Department of State, U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Congress, the World Bank and numerous non-profit organizations and international for-profit contractors. Developed, executed and evaluated training programs and conferences addressing rule of law; judicial policy; court administration; public defender, probation and pre-trial services; judicial ethics and independence; and other topics for overseas activities and visiting international delegations.

Conceived and implemented training activities for Macedonian legal professionals in areas of commercial law, alternative dispute resolution, insolvency law, labor law and other topics.

Represented Agency in all phases of labor and employment litigation. Advised Agency managers in various areas of labor and employment law, including employment discrimination, equal pay, age and disability issues, and other topics.

Advised and represented various corporations, public agencies and individuals in commercial litigation, labor and employment, occupational safety and health, and immigration in large Baltimore City firm. Summer Associate, 1990. Firm now does business as Saul Ewing.

Assisted in research and drafting of decisions by intermediate appellate state court. Delivered speech at investiture ceremony of Judge Motz to U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit (1994).