Daniel Williams: President
Grand Rapids, MI – Urban education leader and social justice advocate Daniels Williams has joined the Steelcase Foundation as President. Williams brings to this role a passion for advancing equity, opportunity and innovation in public education and a deep commitment to the people of West Michigan.
Most recently, he served as President & CEO of the West Michigan Center for Arts and Technology (WMCAT) where he worked extensively to advance equity in education and workforce development. During his tenure, he reimaged and shaped the role of adult workforce development with employer partners, increased earned revenue, and advocated for stronger family supportive policies at the state and national level.
Prior to WMCAT, Williams was Co-Founder and Principal of Grand Rapids University Prep Academy, the first Centers of Innovation School in Grand Rapids Public Schools. While at UPrep, he led his team to achieving a graduation rate of more than 90% and a college acceptance rate of 100% each year.
In 2019, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer appointed Williams as Vice-Chairperson of the MI-STEM Council. In 2018, he was one of seven leaders appointed by then-Governor Rick Snyder to join the Michigan Consortium of Advanced Networks.
An endowed foundation independent from Steelcase Inc., the Foundation’s mission is to empower people to reach their full potential. The Foundation believes quality, accessible public education is paramount to achieving this vision as well as generating work and cultural opportunities. Today the foundation supports projects that drive systemic change in its communities with more than $5,000,000 in grants in the last fiscal year.
