Cynthia Williams

Cynthia Williams served as the Executive Director of the Michigan Education Special Services Association, known as MESSA, for sixteen years prior to her retirement. In business for 60 years, MESSA provides health and related benefits to Michigan public schools, community colleges, and universities.

In her capacity as Executive Director, she managed all aspects of MESSA’s business operations, including working with the Association’s elected Board of Trustees. Her responsibilities included financial and strategic planning, business retention and development, and management of a staff of 300 employees.

Prior to joining MESSA, Ms. Williams served in senior management and as Legal Counsel to the Michigan Education Association. She has also worked in a private law practice, where she developed an expertise in the areas of labor and employment law, civil rights, and education law. She served as a law clerk to Michigan Supreme Court Justice Michael Cavanagh prior to entering private practice.

Williams was a member of the Michigan Children’s Trust Fund Board of Directors from 2009-2012, serving as its chairperson from 2010 to 2012. She also served on the Lake Superior State University Foundation Board of Directors from 2011 to 2019. She currently serves as a member of the Planning Commission for the City of East Lansing.

Ms. Williams holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Language and Literature from Lake Superior State University and a Juris Doctorate from Thomas M. Cooley Law.

She has two sons, Andrew and Jeff (married to Kathryn Loomis), and two grandchildren, Sylvia and Mackinac.

She was appointed to the Board of Trustees of Lake Superior State University by Governor Whitmer in July 2020.