Kandis Williams is Executive Director of LISC Cleveland (Local Initiatives Support Corporation), a national community development intermediary and CDFI. In this role, Ms. Williams leads LISC Cleveland’s community investment effort and programming to support economic development, workforce development, affordable housing, and neighborhood revitalization in Cleveland and Northeast Ohio, with racial equity as the foundation of their work. Ms. Williams brings 25 years of cross-sector community and economic development experience to her role. Previously, Ms. Williams was Vice President for Economic Opportunity with Cleveland Neighborhood Progress (CNP), where she led programs focused on economic development, workforce development, and asset/wealth building and economic mobility. Prior to CNP, Williams was Vice President of Community Development Lending with Citizens Bank, directing capital to affordable housing and community revitalization projects in Ohio and Western Pennsylvania. She also held the position of Senior Vice President for Village Capital Corporation, the CDFI lending subsidiary of Cleveland Neighborhood Progress. Ms. Williams’ professional experience includes leadership roles in local government and nonprofit community development as well.

Williams earned her Bachelor of Arts in Urban Studies from the College of Wooster and her Master of Urban Planning, Design and Development from Cleveland State University’s Levin College of Urban Affairs. She contributes her time and expertise to a variety of local efforts, including serving as the Board President of the Shaker Heights Development Corporation, Board Member of Village Capital Corporation, and as a Visiting Committee member of Cleveland State University’s Levin College of Public Affairs and Education.