Bio
Charizma Williams is the Chief Operating Officer at the ACLU and oversees the Finance, Human Resources, Information Technology and Business Operations functions of the organization. She also served as the ACLU’s Chief Financial Officer for three years prior to becoming the COO. Prior to joining the ACLU Williams spent nearly 15 years working to help improve educational opportunities for students in low-income communities. Most recently, she was the CFO at KIPP NYC, a charter school management organization with 15 schools in New York City. Over her 11-year tenure there she helped guide KIPP NYC through several growth phases which expanded both operational budgets and students served by more than fourfold. Prior to working in education Williams worked in the financial services industry as a securities trader.
Outside of the office Williams dedicates her time to helping mission-driven organizations achieve their goals. She currently serves as board Chair for The Knowledge House, a New York based non-profit working to educate and mentor students from low-income communities by providing them with the technology and workplace skills needed to build successful careers in the tech industry. She is also the Treasurer for the Major Taylor Cycling Club of New Jersey, which promotes cycling in New Jersey communities.