Dr. Lisa Williams is a respected researcher, national columnist and award-winning speaker. She is the President and CEO of Williams Research, Inc. and the author of the forthcoming book, Leading Beyond Excellence. As a former professor at Penn State University and a two-time endowed chair holder, she has dedicated her life to educating and developing excellence in future and current leaders. Major corporations and President Clinton's Commission on Critical Infrastructure Protection have sought her advice. Dr. Williams' research has practical and global implications and as such she has spoken to audiences in the United States, Belgium, Austria, Canada, London and Australia.

Dr. Williams has been given the highest honor bestowed upon a faculty member--an endowed chair. Actually, Dr. Williams has been given this honor--not once but twice--in three years. As the first female to hold a multimillion dollar endowed chair in her field, the first African American female to graduate from The Ohio State University's Marketing and Logistics Department and the second woman in her discipline to become a full professor, she has committed herself to exceptional scholarship. Her accomplishments were recognized when she was given the American Marketing Association PhD. Project Trailblazer Award.

Her peers and students alike recognize her as a leader in the field of business and supply chain management. She has received many teaching awards and recognition from Ohio State, Penn State, and the University of Arkansas. Dr. Williams has been ranked by the most prestigious journal in the field for the number of articles published. Her research has been published in the Journal of Marketing Channels, Journal of Business Logistics, the Transportation Journal, The International Journal of Physical Distribution and Logistics Management and the International Journal of Logistics Management. Her column Profiles in Leadership is published in the Supply Chain Management Review Magazine. While featured in many magazines for her expertise in business, she is also known for her ability to motivate executives, future leaders and audiences of all sizes.

Most Requested Topics:

Go Where No Leader Has Gone Before: 7 Proven Strategies to Become a Trailblazing Leader: Today we enjoy technologies and luxuries unimagined just a generation ago. Our progress has been created by individuals with an empowered vision who've lead others to see the possibility of the impossible. Each of us can become a trailblazer with an unstoppable vision that galvenizes others and creates a zone of invincibility. Supported by years of research, a practical and implementable plan is offered to assist leaders in manifesting their visions by gaining support and overcoming resistance to change. This session provides 7 proven strategies for individuals to become trailblazing leaders. Particular emphasis is given to showing leaders "how to" develop an empowered vision and enable others to see your vision and support your goals.

Will the Real Leaders Please Stand Up: 7 Steps to Tap the Leadership Giants Throughout Your Organization: Within every organization a vast resource often goes untapped: the Embedded Leader. They are among the most influential individuals because of the trust relationships they develop at multiple levels throughout the organization. Through their powerful connections, they are the true communicators within an organization and create synergistic relationships empowering people to achieve what appears impossible. This session provides a checklist to identify embedded leaders within your organization and gives a 7 step process to use embedded leaders to engage employees in achieving organizational goals.

Breaking New Ground: 7 Ways to Become a Woman of Leadership Significance: We have long been told what could not be done. We know the challenges women face but now discover how to be a female leader who moves from survival to significance. Gain skills on how not to fight against the odds, but use them as stepping stones to achieve success never before seen. Learn how legendary and contemporary women without support, connections and knowing "how" have revolutionized industries such as health care, retail and technology. In this presentation, you will learn about the science of personal success, the effectiveness of significant leadership and seven concrete stages to use and maximize in propelling yourself into achieving goals in both your professional and personal lives. Participants will leave with a plan and a series of experiential exercises to keep them on the path to gaining significant success.