Dr. D’Andrea L. Williams

Dr. D’Andrea L. Williams (DeeDee) is thrilled to lead Elevate Louisville as its Executive Director! She is passionate about helping others and brings a wealth of experience, creativity, and a fun approach to this role! She believes in fostering a collaborative and inclusive environment where everyone’s ideas and contributions are valued. As an education professional with over 20 years of experience in diverse academic settings, she supports and advances all students’ holistic development. Specifically, her efforts have been towards the successful transition of first-year college students and helping students navigate life after high school. Furthermore, her research emphasizes the impact of mentoring on student engagement, persistence/retention, and completion, particularly for minoritized and marginalized student populations. She earned her PhD in Educational Administration: Higher Education Leadership from Indiana State University (ISU). She also holds a B.S. in Human Resources Management, an M.S.Ed. in School Counseling from Indiana University Southeast (IUS), and certification in P-12 school counseling. Beyond the role of Executive Director, she remains deeply committed to giving back to her community and striving to create a more equitable and compassionate society. Additionally, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two boys, cooking, baking, and making each day memorable!