New Futures is thrilled to announce the selection of Dr. Sherrod Williams, an experienced nonprofit executive, and leader in higher education, as the organization’s next Chief Executive Officer. Dr. Williams begins his tenure on February 8, 2023.

“Sherrod is an excellent leader with a passion for improving educational opportunities for underserved populations. He has both the vision and the operational chops to build on our successful educational and career programs, to increase the impact on underserved young adults in the DMV area,” said Susan Krause Bell, Chair of New Futures’ Board of Directors. “His impressive achievements connecting college access and career readiness for marginalized communities will strengthen and expand New Futures’ impact in pivotal ways.” 

Dr. Williams is a passionate champion for equitable educational and career attainment as a solution for economic mobility for young people. By building upon a strong foundation of innovative programs, strategic priorities, and a dedicated base of supporters, Dr. Williams will continue to advance New Futures’ key partnerships and programs through a lens inclusive of racial equity and justice.  

“I am honored to join New Futures as its next CEO. Its commitment to the success of students from marginalized communities in the Washington DC region resonates deeply with me,” said Williams. “As a first-generation college student from a small town in Alabama, I know firsthand the challenges of navigating the college system. I am excited to build upon New Futures’ critical resources and current successes to bring the organization to new heights.”

The recruitment of Dr. Williams follows a national search led by Good Insight, an executive search firm based in Washington, DC. The process was guided by a search committee composed of members of New Futures’ Board of Directors and staff, chaired by Dr. Jonathan Mathis, Ph.D., Secretary of New Futures’ Board, and CEO of Center for Supportive Schools.  

About Sherrod Williams

Dr. Sherrod Williams, Ph.D., incoming Chief Executive Officer of New Futures, is an experienced nonprofit executive and higher education leader. 

Dr. Williams joins New Futures from The Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars (TWC). In his most recent role as the Chief of Staff and Managing Director, he oversaw operations, human resources, data management, and justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion initiatives for a $20 million nonprofit institution. Dr. Williams joined TWC in 2016 and has held successive leadership roles that contributed to programmatic strategy and innovation that developed responsive workforce programs that serve marginalized populations. Throughout his tenure, he managed internship and short-term programs, as well as student housing, community life, and a portfolio of over 400 employer partnerships.

Prior to TWC, Dr. Williams spent 13 years in higher education. He served as the Director of Student Leadership and Community Engagement and interim senior leadership roles at the University of Massachusetts Boston (UMass Boston), held several positions at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), and worked in the nonprofit sector as a program director coordinating a service learning program in Birmingham schools. 

Dr. Williams earned his Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration at the University of Massachusetts Boston, a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership, and a Bachelor’s of Business Marketing from the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). 

About New Futures

New Futures is a nonprofit organization that advances educational opportunities for rewarding careers. Founded in 1999, New Futures has successfully helped hundreds of young people across the Washington, DC region access workforce certifications and community college degrees that lead to fulfilling and financially stable careers.  

The majority of New Futures’ Scholars are first-generation college students, immigrants, and young parents who are experiencing financial insecurity. Scholars are guided by a team of highly qualified staff advisors whose combined professional backgrounds and own invaluable lived experiences offer a supportive space where Scholars build confidence, no matter their starting point.

New Futures’ personalized support helps Scholars achieve their educational and career aspirations by accessing certification programs and community college degrees. By accessing scholarship funding, personal advising, skill-building workshops, and career exposure and networking, this deliberate continuum of support combine college persistence tactics and career advising for in-demand fields including IT, construction, health sciences, education, public service, and hospitality.

New Futures’ success is clear. Recent alumni surveys show 97% are either employed or enrolled in their next degree program. Over $5 million in scholarships has been awarded to more than 600 Scholars, resulting in 343 degrees and certifications completed.

About Good Insight

With a mission to connect good causes to great leaders, Good Insight is an executive search firm that recruits talented senior executives and plans leadership transitions for social sector organizations nationwide. To learn more, visit www.good-insight.org.