JENNIFER WILLIAMS,
President
With more than 25 years of leadership in the nonprofit sector, Jennifer is a seasoned advocate with a deep understanding of how nonprofits can shape public policy to advance their missions. Her career has been defined by a commitment to elevating the voice of the nonprofit community in legislative spaces and equipping organizations with the tools to engage in effective advocacy.
Jennifer began her career at the Ohio Statehouse, gaining firsthand knowledge of the policymaking process before moving to Washington, D.C., where she honed her advocacy skills representing government finance officers on Capitol Hill. It was in D.C. that she recognized a critical gap: nonprofits needed not just to serve communities, but to have a seat at the policy table. This realization sparked a lifelong passion and dedication to nonprofit advocacy.
Returning to Ohio, Jennifer launched the state’s first comprehensive nonprofit advocacy initiative, representing Ohio’s 45,000 organizations before state lawmakers. She built bridges between government and the nonprofit sector, ensuring that the contributions and concerns of nonprofits were understood and respected by decision-makers. She also led statewide trainings to help nonprofit leaders and boards integrate advocacy into their strategic operations.
As a former executive director and consultant, Jennifer brings hands-on experience in designing advocacy strategies, engaging boards in public policy, and building organizational capacity around government relations. Her work is grounded in best practices and tailored to help nonprofits use their voices to create systemic change.
ERICA KRAUSE,
Director, Government Affairs
Erica is an experienced advocacy and government affairs professional with over fifteen years experience helping individuals, organizations and communities build the skills and strategies they need to influence policy, access resources and reach their goals.
She began her career with a nonprofit that specializes in providing user-friendly data to other nonprofits, supporting their strategic planning and grant writing efforts. This early experience underscored the importance of translating complex information into accessible tools to maximize impact.
Over the course of her career, Erica has worked with a wide range of nonprofit organizations across the country helping them navigate the intersection of advocacy, policy, and funding. Her experience working in rural communities helps her understand the unique challenges these towns and villages face, from limited infrastructure and resources to underrepresentation in policy discussions, and she is committed to amplifying their voices. Erica has built and led teams to design and execute effective advocacy campaigns, facilitated trainings on how to engage with government systems, and supported organizations in identifying and securing public funding opportunities that align with their missions and meet the needs of their communities.
Immediately prior to joining Williams Nonprofit Consulting, Erica served in the U.S. Senate, where she gained firsthand experience in federal policy and appropriations. Her background uniquely equips her to guide nonprofits through the nuances of government relations and to develop strategies that elevate their voices and expand their access to public resources.
“Jennifer's leadership and knowledge has transformed the way our organization does business.”
— Jane McCleary, Blanchard River Watershed Partnership