Janelle Williams, Ph.D.

Co-founder & CEO

Dr. Janelle Williams is the Co-Founder and CEO of Atlanta Wealth Building Initiative, a catalytic nonprofit that seeks to build Black wealth through community wealth-building strategies. She has led several strategies for the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta and the Annie E. Casey Foundation to advance inclusive and thriving communities. Dr. Williams is committed to advancing investments and policies that increase opportunities for disinvested communities. Her work has served as a national model to other grant makers looking to operationalize racial equity and inclusion.

Dr. Williams served as a Congressional Fellow in the U.S. House of Representatives. She holds a doctorate in international family and community studies from Clemson University, a master's degree in public administration from the University of Georgia, bachelor's degrees in psychology and sociology from Florida Memorial University and attended Harvard Kennedy School of Executive Education. Dr. Williams is an alum of the Association of Black Foundation Executives’ Connecting Leaders program, the Atlanta Leaders for Results, and the LEAD Atlanta programs.