Toni Williams
Vice President
Toni Williams has a comprehensive understanding of creating, implementing and executing communication campaigns for a broad range of audiences. Her background, which spans 25 years, encompasses a wide array of expertise—media relations, brand positioning, crisis management and relationship building. She prides herself on working with clients to figure out exactly what needs to be said and finding the perfect way to say it. As vice president, Toni leads strategic communications for the County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program and the RWJF Culture of Health Prize, signature projects of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute. Both projects work together to inspire, arm and empower local communities to improve health and expand opportunity for all residents.
Throughout her far-reaching career, her press outreach efforts have resulted in front page stories in the New York Times, USA Today and Washington Post; cover stories in Newsweek, Time and US News & World Report; and feature stories on CBS Evening News, NBC Nightly News, ABC World News Tonight and BBC World News America. At the Alzheimer’s Association where she served as senior associate director of public relations for the organization’s National Public Policy office, her media successes coupled with targeted, and aggressive advocacy engagement strategies resulted in the creation of national policy, including the creation of the country’s first National Alzheimer’s Plan. She also spearheaded the communications blueprint for the organization’s annual Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report—positioning it as the single most trusted documentary source on Alzheimer’s for media, lawmakers and the public, garnering one billion media impressions annually.
Prior to the Alzheimer’s Association, Toni’s 12 years at C-SPAN allowed her to excel in various roles where her communication, public affairs and event management skills were honed—including as a senior producer, the network’s 25th anniversary project manager and a marketing representative.
Toni received her bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism from Howard University.
Why I'm at Burness
By stretching minds, stirring imaginations and envisioning new possibilities, Burnessers are creating a future with radical possibility for every individual. Why Burness? Only Burness.
Personal Cause
The last, the least and the lost.
Hometown
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Vacation Destination
Caribbean island, white sand, ocean breeze, crashing waves, good book – absolute perfection. Smoothie flavor - subject to change.