Event Facilitator: Russell Williams

Russell Williams has worked in youth development, fund development, and leadership development for the last 30 years. He serves as a leadership and personal growth coach, trainer, and facilitator for businesses, churches, nonprofit organizations, and their leaders. Williams’ partnership with the Marion Chamber of Commerce has produced the Leadership Marion professional development program and the Live2Lead leadership conference in Southern Illinois for the past four years. Russ is Vice-President of the Board of Directors of The Boys & Girls Club of Southern Illinois and a co-founder of Churros & Chocolate Among Friends, a multicultural and bilingual faith community.  He is also the co-host of Small Town Big Business, a podcast about entrepreneurship and opportunity in small-town middle America.

Russ graduated from McKendree College and Emory University with Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. He has certifications and coursework in Fundraising Management and Executive Leadership from the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at Indiana University and is a certified member of the John Maxwell Team of speakers, trainers, and coaches. Russ lives in Marion, Illinois, with his spouse Rocio Reyes Williams and two boys David and Joshua.