Robin Williams will serve as the first full - time Executive Director for the Black Professionals Association Charitable Foundation (BPACF). Robin’s responsibilities will include leading the fund development and program activities of BPACF while improving the lives of African Americans in the Greater Cleveland community.

“I am honored to be given an amazing opportunity to serve as the Executive Director of BPACF. “I look forward to working with the Board of Trustees to further support and advocate for higher education, mentorship and leadership programming to impact the professional, social and cultural development of the African American community”.

Robin Williams formerly served a twelve year career at MBNA America. She was an Associate Vice President-Senior Operations Manager and held positions in Business Marketing, Corporate Development Education, Human Resources, Loss Prevention, Telecommunications and Corporate Fundraising for the MBNA Education Foundation. Robin initiated and implemented several leadership programs that impacted the success of MBNA and the professional development of individuals. The one of many initiatives Robin is most proud of, was serving on the MBNA Senior Diversity Task Force. The initiative required the development of a Diversity Recruitment Plan to research, recruit and hire African American professionals to work at MBNA. It increased awareness to promote the need for corporate diversity and included an Executive Management mentoring program.

In 2005, Robin left MBNA to pursue a career in non-profit human services. She most recently worked at Adoption Network Cleveland as a Development Associate and was responsible for the development, planning and execution of all special events and solicited funding opportunities from corporations, individuals and foundations. Robin also served as the Membership Services Coordinator and oversaw the membership cultivation and services for the adoption and foster care community.

Robin is a Cleveland native and obtained her Bachelor’s of Arts Degree from Ursuline College. As a student, she worked with other African American students and the faculty staff to implement a Minority Advocacy support program. It was named Urifiki (mean “friendship” in Swahili). She is proud today, because it’s inception 14 years ago has resulted in Ursuline College having a solid Voice and Vision for the African American community and a 28% African American enrollment rate.

Robin strongly believes in “giving back what God has given you” to positively influence lives. Her passion is the emotional, educational and professional development of African Americans, youth and young women in crisis. She has served as a mentor to many young women and she has served on various non-profit boards and committees in Greater Cleveland. She is also a certified Christian Life Coach, a graduate of Cleveland Bridge Builders and Cleveland NEXT Generation of Civic Leaders. She is also a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals.

Robin’s personal interest includes: writing, research, spending time with her family and attending the theater, movies and elegant restaurants with friends.