FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Student Sponsor Partners Appoints Denise Durham Williams
Executive Director
New York, NY, April 23, 2014 – Student Sponsor Partners (SSP), a well-respected charitable organization that provides scholarship and mentoring to New York City’s at-risk, inner-city students, announced the appointment of nonprofit professional Denise Durham Williams to the post of Executive Director.
“The Board of SSP is delighted that Denise Durham Williams will be joining SSP and believe she’s ideally suited to further our mission of breaking the poverty cycle by providing a college-preparatory education to low-income students and providing each with a four-year mentor. Denise brings extensive leadership experience from both the private and non-for-profit sectors and has a deep understanding of the challenges facing our students. We are thrilled to have her on board,” said James Healy, Chair of SSP’s Board of Directors.
“I am so excited to be joining SSP and look forward to working with the Board, staff, sponsors, mentors, and our partner schools to further the organization’s mission and enhance the lives of our SSP students in meaningful ways,” said Durham Williams. “SSP is a wonderful and impactful organization that speaks to my heart since I experienced firsthand how quality education and strong community support can transform lives and break the cycle of poverty for future generations. I am committed to build on SSP’s successful track record in exciting new ways while maintaining the organization’s core values and supporting SSP students’ educational aspirations.”
Most recently, Durham Williams served as President of Kids in Distressed Situations (K.I.D.S.), a global children’s charity. This year, she successfully orchestrated a merger between K.I.D.S. and its sister nonprofit Fashion Delivers, strengthening the position of the newly united organization to annually provide over $200 million in clothing and basic essentials to children, individuals and families in need. Prior to joining K.I.D.S., Durham Williams was the Executive Director of One Family, Inc., for four years, leading the organization in its mission and advocacy work to end family homelessness in Massachusetts. Durham Williams brings a depth of experience from the financial services industry. As a Managing Director of the Global Consumer Group at Citigroup in New York, NY, she developed diversity strategies, championed cross-functional human resources initiatives and regional leadership and professional development programs. Prior to that appointment, Durham Williams served as Citibank’s Senior Vice President and National Director of Community Relations where she successfully launched innovative community programs throughout the United States. She also worked in a variety of senior level positions for more than 20 years at JP Morgan Chase and the former Chemical Bank. Durham Williams holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Tufts University in Medford, MA.
Denise Durham Williams is succeeding Dr. Margaret M. Minson, who served as Executive Director for the past seven years. Dr. Minson announced in December that she would be stepping down at the end of April. SSP’s Board conducted a thorough executive search process that identified a number of highly qualified candidates and resulted in the hiring of Ms. Durham Williams.
About Student Sponsor Partners
Student Sponsor Partners (SSP) was founded in 1986 with a mission to address the high school dropout crisis in New York City by providing underserved students with four years of college-preparatory education. All SSP students are paired with sponsors and mentors who offer financial support and one-on-one mentoring, thus making a meaningful impact on their lives. Today, SSP has 1,400 students in 25 partner schools supported by 1,700 sponsors/mentors. Over 85% of SSP students graduate from high school each year, which is a substantially higher rate than that historically achieved by comparable public high schools. Further, approximately 92% of SSP high school graduates are accepted to college. Since it’s inception, nearly 6,000 SSP students have graduated from high school. To find out more about Student Sponsor Partners, visit www.sspnyc.org
About Denise Durham Williams
Ms. Denise Durham Williams joined the not for profit sector in 2009 after spending thirty accomplished years on Wall Street. In 2009, Ms. Durham Williams was chosen to lead One Family, a not for profit whose mission is to end family homelessness in Massachusetts. As the Executive Director, she expanded One Family’s Scholarship program statewide and successfully advocated for improved community and housing resources to low income, at-risk homeless families in Massachusetts. In 2013, Mrs. Durham Williams moved back to New York and became the President of Kids in Distressed Situations, a national not for profit providing over $100MM in clothing, books, toys and other kids essential products to children in need.
Ms. Durham Williams, a former senior officer at JP Morgan Chase, has successfully managed numerous business departments in finance, marketing, community development, human resources, training and leadership development for thousands of employees globally. In 2001, her commitment to educational and workforce issues was acknowledged by JP Morgan Chase’s Executive Team by being appointed an Executive on Loan to the Welfare to Work Partnership. In this position, Ms. Durham Williams collaborated with William J. Clinton Foundation in the development of several workforce and educational internship pilots for the Harlem community.
In 2004, Ms. Durham Williams joined Citigroup and was selected to be the National Director of Community Relations managing a $20MM grant budget. She strategically launched innovative community programs in partnership with over 700 not for profits serving low and moderate income neighborhoods and served as Citibank’s key spokesperson on national community issues. Ms. Durham Williams also proudly led Citigroup’s global diversity strategies and programs for the global consumer employees worldwide.
Ms. Durham Williams’ past and current community activities include being the Board Chair-The Committee for Hispanic Children and Families, Development Chair-Greater Hudson Valley Links Chapter, Advisory Council Member-Massachusetts Interagency of Homelessness and Housing, Mentor-Boston Public Schools, Disaster Services Volunteer-American Red Cross, Board Chair-International YMCA-NY, Board Member-CFED, Elected Officer-Boston Links Chapter, ESOL Tutor–Rosie’s Place, Board Member-Birthday Wishes and Economic teacher and Mentor–Junior Achievement.
Ms. Durham Williams’ community leadership has been recognized by her receiving several awards including: Compass for Kids-Beacon of Homelessness Award, YWCA Saluting Women and Racial Justice-Distinguished Business Leader, YMCA of Greater New York- Harold Smith Award for Outstanding Community Service, The Woman of Substance Award from Samaritan Foundation, The Civic Spirit Award for the Women’s City Club of New York and UNCF’s Corporate Appreciation Award.
Ms. Durham Williams is a graduate of Tufts University with a BA in Economics. She also successfully completed graduate level management training in corporate finance, risk management and real estate finance throughout her career in the financial services industry.
