KnowledgeWorks
Matt Williams has a diverse work experience spanning over two decades. Matt currently serves as the Executive Vice President & Chief Strategy Officer at KnowledgeWorks, a role they have held since February 2019. Prior to this, they held several other positions at KnowledgeWorks including Chief Operating Officer/Vice President of Policy and Advocacy, Vice President of Policy and Advocacy, Senior Director of National Advocacy and Partnerships, Director of Public Affairs, Senior Program Officer, and Program Officer.
Before joining KnowledgeWorks, Matt worked at Baylor University as the Director of GEAR UP Waco and as a Lecturer in Civic Education. Matt also served as a Consultant Trainer at the Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory. Matt began their career at Baylor University as a Regional Mentoring Coordinator and Data Collection Specialist.
Throughout their career, Matt has demonstrated strong leadership and strategic skills, with a focus on promoting the mission, vision, and practices of the organizations they have worked for. Matt has extensive experience in policy and advocacy, building relationships with key stakeholders at the federal and state levels, and driving growth and sustainability.
From 1993 to 1995, Matt Williams attended Stephen F. Austin State University, but did not obtain a degree or specify a field of study. Matt then attended The University of Texas at San Antonio from 1995 to 1997, where they earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in History. Finally, from 1997 to 1998, Matt Williams attended Baylor University and obtained a Master of Science degree in Education.
KnowledgeWorks
Every day, educators across the country work hard to prepare and inspire the next generation of thinkers, leaders and entrepreneurs. Children in their classrooms come from different backgrounds, have distinct sets of experiences and various world views. Their students’ complex identities, paired with the changes in how students receive and manage information, means that the “one-size-fits-all” model of education doesn’t work. What would happen if we empower all educators to engage each student’s unique learning style and personal strengths while ensuring high expectations for academic growth? We could spark a generation of confident and skilled learners ready to contribute to their communities and to the workforce. We anticipate and prepare for the future of education. We create policies that support innovative teaching and learning. We develop the capacity of educators. By looking ahead to the future of learning and work, transforming policy and growing educator impact, the KnowledgeWorks team helps policymakers and communities create a foundation for systemic change.