A longtime civic, business, and education leader in the Atlanta, Georgia area, Sam A Williams, brings more than five decades of experience to his current position as a professor of public policy and the assistant director of the Urban Studies Institute at Georgia State University. In this position, he helps guide an institute that bridges the academic and business communities while solving issues of concern in the Atlanta area. He has helped this new institute obtain accreditation for degrees up to the PhD level. He is also leading a research team which will publish an in-depth report this summer on anchor institutions of higher education and healthcare and their impact on the city. The first of its kind analysis will detail the role of universities in training healthcare professionals and the numerous research projects funded by foundations, the National Institute of Health and National Science Foundation. It will show the result of collaboration and site success and challenges.

Mr. Williams earned his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Georgia Tech before going on to complete an MBA at Harvard University. In his current work, he draws upon experience gained as the president and CEO of the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce for nearly 20 years, as well as executive roles with an international architectural firm, nonprofit groups, and think tanks.

An active member of the community, Mr. Williams lends his professional expertise to several area civic and healthcare organizations. In addition to sitting on the board of directors for Grady Memorial Hospital and Emory Healthcare's network of hospitals, he holds a leadership role with the Urban Land Institute.