Williams brings decades of nonprofit leadership to his new role as CEO of national youth
career-readiness organization

HOUSTON, Texas — Genesys Works, a nonprofit social enterprise that provides pathways to career success for high school students in underserved communities, announced today that David Williams will join the organization as CEO starting January 1, 2019. In his new role, he looks forward to scaling the organization’s impact and helping more youth succeed on a path towards college and career success.

Williams brings over 30 years of experience leading large nonprofit organizations, including Habitat for Humanity International, The Houston Food Bank, and most recently, serving as President and Chief Executive Officer of Make-A-Wish America.

“From his executive leadership success which helped turn Make-A-Wish America into one of the most successful nonprofit brands, to the growth he oversaw at Habitat for Humanity International, David brings years of valuable experience and a passion for serving youth to his role at Genesys Works,” said Douglas Butler, Chairman of Genesys Works’ National Board of Directors. “In order for Genesys Works to achieve even higher levels of impact, it is paramount that our new leader brings experience in growing and scaling organizations and we have found that in David.”

Genesys Works currently operates programs in Houston, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Chicago, the San Francisco Bay Area, the National Capital Region, and beginning in 2019, New York City. Since its inception, Genesys Works has helped open doors of opportunity for more than 6,000 students, providing life-altering work experiences at partner companies such as AT&T, Accenture, Kirkland & Ellis, and Salesforce.

“I’ve chosen to join Genesys Works because the program is doing more than simply putting a band-aid on a problem – it’s addressing some of the root causes of economic inequality by helping our education and business communities work together to provide impactful work-based learning opportunities for our country’s youth,” Williams said. “I’m honored to be serving an organization that’s not only changing the lives of the students it serves, but also creating the talent pipeline needed by corporations for continued business success.”

Williams will succeed Genesys Works’ founder and current CEO, Rafael Alvarez, who announced in April 2018 that he would step down after 16 years with the organization.

“As the founder of Genesys Works, I could not be happier, and more at ease, about leaving the organization in the hands of someone so incredibly capable and eager to take it to its fullest potential,” said Alvarez. “David’s proven ability to develop strong teams, drive national awareness, and dedication to serving others will help take Genesys Works to the next level of growth and impact.”

The Genesys Works program includes eight weeks of technical and professional skills training, a paid year-long corporate internship, college and career coaching, and alumni support to and through college. To date, 100 percent of students who participate in Genesys Works have graduated from high school and 93 percent have gone on to enroll in college. A recent social return on investment study (SROI) by Columbia University calculated a $13.46 economic return to society for every $1 invested in the Genesys Works program, a powerful testament to the value of its programming.

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ABOUT GENESYS WORKS

Genesys Works provides pathways to career success for high school students in underserved communities through skills training, meaningful work experiences, and impactful relationships. Our program consists of 8 weeks of technical and professional skills training, a paid year-long corporate internship, college and career coaching, and alumni support to and through college. Our goal is to move more students out of poverty and into professional careers, creating a more productive and diverse workforce in the process. Since its founding in 2002, Genesys Works has grown to serve more than 6,000 students in Houston, Chicago, Minneapolis/St. Paul, the San Francisco Bay Area, and Washington’s National Capital Region. To learn more, visit genesysworks.org.