Anja Williams
Growing up in the south-central area of LA, I witnessed many social ills that individuals, nonprofits, big businesses, and policymakers are working to improve even today. As a child, I wondered why life was tough for so many people. There had to be underlying reasons for the gang violence, mass incarceration, poverty, and so many of the other difficulties that plagued the community of which I was a part and others like it. So, I made an early life commitment to be part of the solution. That decision, or the call I answered, led me to the work of social impact and has fueled my passion throughout my life.
As a seasoned marketing professional, I have worked across many business sectors, from consumer packaged goods to IT, from communications and healthcare to transportation, from arts and entertainment to entrepreneurship, and ministry to nonprofit and philanthropy. This unique career path - which may seem too diverse for some - has been perfect for me. These varied experiences have contributed to my social impact work in three ways. First, the experiences inform my creative problem-solving approach. Second, the experiences allowed me to see the inner workings and understand the priorities of several sectors which broadened my view of best business practices. Third, having such varied experiences helped me align my skills and talents with my passion for this work.
CREATIVE PROBLEM-SOLVING
Steve Jobs once said,“Creativity is just connecting things. When you ask creative people how they did something, they feel a little guilty because they didn’t [really] do it... they just saw something.” My diverse experiences and innate curiosity help me see connections and solutions others may not immediately see. I use these insights and an analytical framework to offer innovative ideas for a client’s external or internal challenges.
BEST PRACTICES
“I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” This quote, attributed to the famous poet, Maya Angelou, emphasizes the value of prioritizing, above all else, people. I am convinced this is the key to business success. When I consider the best practices of past companies and clients, at the root is a genuine interest in people - customers, clients, employees, and colleagues.
PASSION
Theologian Howard Thurman once said, ”Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” Just as a skilled sailor gets energized as he/she navigates through uncharted waters, I come alive and thrive when creating and producing innovative solutions, collaboratively, with well-defined plans and execution that address social challenges. I bring that enthusiasm and creative energy to each client's project to help move them closer to their revenue and social impact goals.
With creativity, a people-centric focus, and an unwavering passion for supporting positive change, I am excited to explore working with you. If you have an appetite for creative problem-solving and are interested in impacting your community, let's chart a course together. Schedule time with me to begin or continue navigating your path to success in facilitating good through business.
