Robert Williams

Rob Williams joined the Fanning Institute in 2002 with primary responsibilities in leadership and organizational development for state and national organizations and as associate director. In 2004, he stepped down from the associate director role to begin several international leadership and organizational development programs funded by the Packard Foundation and Kellogg Foundation and to facilitate the reorganization of the Fanning Institute.

Prior to joining the Fanning Institute, Rob served as a senior associate and managing partner with Triangle Associates of Chapel Hill, a national consulting firm, associate director of the Pew Center for the Health Professions, and on faculty at Duke University and Interdenominational Theological Center at Atlanta University. He was one of the founders of the Leadership Learning Community, a national project for those who fund, run and support leadership development programs, a Kellogg Foundation National Fellowship recipient, and winner at the London Film Festival for documentary film.

He is currently lead faculty for the Institute for Georgia Environmental Leadership, the Academic Leadership Institute for the University of Missouri System, LEAD21, lead consultant for NIH “Public Trust” project, and consults regularly on leadership and organizational development for higher education, health professions, and national associations. He is the author of journal articles and book chapters on leadership and leadership development, social change and advocacy, organizational psychology, and collaboration.

Rob earned a Ph.D. in Human and Organizational Development from the Fielding Institute, focusing on research on social advocates. He has a B.A. in English and M.A. Journalism from the University of Georgia.

Extended biography