Jay Williams has served as president and CEO of the Greater Hartford Gives Foundation since July 2017. He leads the foundation’s work to address structural racism, advance equity and improve social and economic mobility in the region in partnership with nonprofit and community stakeholders.
Williams serves on the boards of MetroHartford Alliance and AdvanceCT and is a member of the Governor’s Workforce Council. Nationally, he is board chair of the Council on Foundations and vice chair of the Center for Community Progress.
Previously, Williams served as U.S. assistant secretary of commerce for economic development, where he led the federal economic development agenda. He also held senior roles in the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs and led the federal Office of Recovery for Auto Communities and Workers. Earlier in his career, Williams was mayor of Youngstown, Ohio, where he focused on regional economic development and global competitiveness.
Over the past year, Williams said the foundation marked its centennial with a yearlong slate of community-centered activities while continuing to support nonprofit partners amid political and economic uncertainty.
The foundation recently announced plans to build a new $35 million headquarters in Hartford in the city’s Clay Arsenal neighborhood.
What qualities are most essential for effective leadership today?
Self-awareness, a moral compass and humility, to name a few.
What do you value most about living or doing business in Connecticut?
The people that I work with and the people that I meet.
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What is one change that would make Connecticut more competitive economically?
Getting serious about the affordable housing shortage and the high cost of energy.
Go-to news media outlets: Hartford Courant, Washington Post, New York Times, Cleveland Plain Dealer and Connecticut Public (WNPR)
Hobby or leisure activity:
Golfing, running, finding great breakfast/brunch spots with my wife and exploring the state with our teenage son.
Favorite podcasts:
“1-A,” “On Point,” “Fresh Ai,” “Today Explained,” “The Colin McEnroe Show,” “On the Media,” “Disrupted,” “Sci Fri,” “Here and Now,” and “NYT Radio Hour”