Michelle Williams, vice president of Texas strategy at MassChallenge; [Photo source: MassChallenge]
MassChallenge, a Boston-based global network for innovators, has appointed Michelle Williams as its new vice president of Texas strategy.
MassChallenge said Williams has more than 15 years of thought leadership in the areas of social impact and innovation and extensive experience helping businesses and nonprofits define, execute and implement their social impact, philanthropy and equity-focused goals.
“Michelle’s passion for giving back and innovation, combined with her deep experience and understanding of the Texas ecosystem, aligns perfectly with our mission,” Damon Cox, MassChallenge’s head of Next Practice, said in a statement. “Her commitment to supporting communities will undoubtedly drive positive change for our operations in Texas and beyond.”
The company aims to further expand Texas’s impact on startups and foster innovation.
As vice president of Texas strategy, Williams will leverage his expertise to further the organization’s impact in supporting startups and accelerating innovation. MassChallenge said it has already supported more than 4,400 startups since its founding in 2009. With offices in Boston and Dallas and operations in 18 countries, MassChallenge said it is poised to continue growing and expand its footprint in the North Texas region under Williams’ strategic leadership.
Williams was named one of Texas Monthly’s Top Innovators Reinventing Texas and has been committed to sharing resources, best practices and knowledge with underrepresented and rural communities across the state.
MassChallenge said her strategic vision and dedication to cultivating the entrepreneurial ecosystem will help advance the company’s efforts to accelerate high-impact startups driving solutions in critical challenge areas, including climate, dual use, biotech, and advancements in healthcare and health equity.
Williams’ background includes consulting for Dallas-area universities, advising on BusinessHQ program planning for Comerica Bank, activating strategic planning and fundraising strategies for the Dallas Black Chamber of Commerce, and supporting strategy and execution for Good Soil, TD Jakes Enterprises’ entrepreneurial ecosystem.
In her previous role as executive director of the Southern Sector Initiative at the Dallas Entrepreneurship Center (DEC Network), Williams helped build and launch DEC @ Redbird, successfully raising more than $2.5 million in funding and launching a JPMC-funded cross-sector initiative to bridge the North Texas entrepreneurial ecosystem, according to MassChallenge.
MassChallenge said the initiative fostered collaboration among area universities, various cities across the metroplex and more than 60 business services organizations.
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