David A. Williams

As president and chief executive officer, David Williams leads the national staff and 67 chapters of the Make-A-Wish Foundation in its simple, heartfelt mission: granting the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. Since 1980, the world’s largest wish-granting organization has granted the wishes of more than 155,000 children in the United States, Guam and Puerto Rico.

Williams joined the Foundation in January 2005.  National office annual revenue has since more than doubled, from $25 million to $52 million, distributions to chapters have nearly tripled, from $8.8 million to $24 million, and overall Foundation revenue has increased from $144 million to $184 million. 

Before joining the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Williams spent 10 years at Habitat for Humanity International, rising to executive vice president and chief operating officer. Under his leadership, the organization expanded in a number of areas – revenue ($400 million to $900 million), house building (30,000 homes to nearly 200,000 homes) and the number of countries with operations (48 to 100). Williams began his work in nonprofit leadership by serving as executive director of The Houston Food Bank for 11 years.   

Williams earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Bloomsburg (Pa.) University and a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Houston.

Williams lives in Cave Creek, Ariz., with his wife, Martha. They have two children, Kate and Carson.