NIH Record - National Institutes of Health

Williams Named EDI Director

Williams portrait
New EDI director Kevin D. Williams

Kevin D. Williams has been appointed director of NIH’s Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI). He began his new position on June 21. 

EDI’s portfolio includes diversity and inclusion programs and training aimed at cultivating a more diverse and equitable work culture. As EDI director, Williams will guide the strategic direction for NIH on diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility matters and will serve as NIH’s equal employment opportunity (EEO) officer. He also will oversee the analysis and publication of NIH workforce data, which informs the agency’s approach to fostering a more inclusive work environment and equitable organizational culture.

Williams joins NIH from the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, where he most recently served as deputy executive director. He oversaw the management and administration of an agency with more than 1,200 staff and ensured the efficient and effective operations of the organization. 

Williams also was a member of the Pandemic Response Team, which assessed the effects of the coronavirus and its impact on the FTC staff and operations.  

He previously served as director of the FTC Office of Equal Employment Opportunity and Workplace Inclusion. He first joined the office as attorney advisor in 2007 and was promoted to director in 2011. During his time as director, he developed and implemented employee anti-discrimination and anti-harassment policies and provided training across the agency. Additionally, he introduced an online reporting tool and improved processing procedures for allegations of workplace discrimination.

Williams has more than 20 years of experience working on equity, diversity and inclusion policies and efforts, EEO law and compliance programs and culture change initiatives within the federal government. He served as the subject matter expert for FTC on EEO and diversity and inclusion issues, representing the agency on internal and external committees tasked with addressing agency and broader EDI challenges, programs and efforts. 

Williams earned a bachelor of arts degree in political science from Morehouse College and a Juris Doctor from Howard University School of Law. He replaces Debra C. Chew, who departed in September 2020. Dr. ​Shelma Middleton Little and Treava Hopkins-Laboy both served as acting EDI director in the interim.

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