Claire M. Williams

From an entry-level marketing position to President and COO of Environmental Design International, Inc. (EDI) and now Executive Vice President of KDM Engineering, Claire Williams built a reputation of excellence, establishing herself as a 25-year business leader recognized in architectural, engineering and construction industries for corporate strategy, business development, and financial management, delivering data-driven solutions to public and private sector clients. Well-known for her ability to identify opportunities and resolve problems before they become barriers, Ms. Williams combines leadership experience with keen listening and assessment skills, helping her manage diverse teams and meet business goals.

A graduate of Rutgers University (B.S.), The University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (CMT) and Central Michigan University (MSA), Ms. Williams began her career in the healthcare industry in her hometown of Columbus, Ohio. Joining EDI in 1996, she spent the next two decades working with EDI’s founder, the late Deborah Sawyer, to grow the professional engineering firm from six people to a robust 70-person team. As President and COO of EDI from 2015-2019, Ms. Williams was responsible for the firm’s business strategy and operations, project management, and financial oversight.

During that time, her leadership experience and talent for collaboration resulted in the largest contract ever awarded to a M/W/DBE firm by the Illinois Department of Transportation for Phase III engineering services on a $100MM segment of the Dan Ryan Expressway. A concept taken to the Tollway as a contracting success story.

In a strategic career move, Ms. Williams left EDI in 2019 to join KDM Engineering as Executive Vice President and help drive the company’s long-term business strategy, as well as help to achieve the aggressive financial and team growth goals. Striving to become one of the preferred, multi-faceted engineering firms in the power and utility industries, KDM relies on Ms. Williams to provide the operational structure necessary to build upon the company’s early growth and success. Her exceptional ability to build and maintain relationships, as well as collaborate with a wide range of professionals has been a significant advantage as KDM expands their work to new sectors and clients.

A fierce supporter and advocate of women- and minority-owned businesses, Ms. Williams offers her expert insight into diversity through her involvement with Women in Transportation (WTS) Diversity Committee, Federation of Women Contractors (FWC) Diversity Committee, and the ICAT DBE Committee. She is also an active member of the Women’s Business Development Center (WBDC), a Director-at-Large on the Lambda Alpha International (LAI) Ely Chapter Board of Directors, and sits on the Forest Preserve Foundation Board of Directors, co-chairing the Conservation Cup, an annual fundraiser of the Foundation.