Dr. Joan M. Williams serves as the Chief of Staff for Akron City Council, where she serves as liaison between the Office of the Council President and the Office of the Mayor, directing the overall operation of Council Leadership and Council-led Initiatives. A passionate advocate for community-centered governance, Dr. Williams leverages over 30 years of experience building sustainable partnerships across the non-profit, public, and government sectors.
Deeply committed to nonprofit empowerment and community service, Dr. Williams currently serves as President of the Bright Star Books Advisory Board, Trustee of the Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority Board, Member of the Hope & Healing Survivor Resource Center Board and Governance Committee, and Board Member and Vice Chair of the Governance Committee for the Akron Zoo. Through these roles, she is dedicated to ensuring that the nonprofit and civic sector have the resources, legislative advocacy, and support necessary to serve their constituencies with distinction and impact. Her commitment to community health and wellness extends to her work with the American Heart Association, where she has served in fundraising initiatives and as the Coach for the City of Akron’s Public Hearts in Motion Heart Walk team in 2025 and 2026.
As a Licensed Social Worker, Ordained Minister, and former Executive Director of a nonprofit organization, Dr. Williams brings distinctive expertise in social action and community impact. Her work continues to focus on advancing human services, improving health and wellness, eradicating food insecurity, combatting gun violence, reimagining community policing, and fostering economic development in impacted communities.
Dr. J, as she is affectionately called, holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from Colgate University, a Master of Science in Education from SUNY College at Brockport, a Master of Social Work from Columbia University School of Social Work, and a Doctorate from Alliance Theological Seminary.