Alan Williams

Alan Williams served as chief operating officer and deputy executive director. In his chief operating officer role, Williams provided operational coordination for some of NAFSA’s largest strategic initiatives and helped craft actionable business intelligence based on data analytics; identified innovative non-dues revenue possibilities; enhanced NAFSA’s expression of membership value; and helped identify and frame important new institutional partnership collaborations. As deputy executive director, Williams provided oversight of NAFSA's extensive marketing, strategic communications, publications, membership, global partnerships, fundraising, sponsorships, and technology solutions.

Prior to joining NAFSA, Williams served as vice president of the leadership and engagement center at the International Youth Foundation (IYF), where he provided strategic management for one of IYF's largest global corporate initiatives, the Make a Connection program. Williams also served as executive director of Quest International, an educational nonprofit dedicated to providing life skills, character education, violence prevention, and service-learning programs for young people. He has also served as the director of communications at the global headquarters of the American Field Service (AFS) student exchange organization in New York City. Originally from South Africa, Williams was an AFS exchange student from Cape Town to Schenectady, New York. He holds a bachelor's degree in journalism and media studies and a BA (Honors) degree from Rhodes University in Grahamstown, South Africa.