Jodi Williams

Executive Leader Bridging People, Finance, and Strategy

Lexington, Virginia, United States

About

I am an executive leader with experience across people, finance, and institutional strategy, and a deep commitment to the values and mission of higher education. I have partnered closely with presidents, boards, and senior leadership to navigate complex challenges, make thoughtful decisions, and advance meaningful results for the institution and its community. My experience includes human resources leadership, compensation and workforce strategy, budgeting and financial analysis, and executive operations. This breadth allows me to connect organizational priorities with financial realities and the human impact of change, keeping the well-being of faculty, staff, and students at the center of decision-making. I am known for bringing clarity to ambiguity, grounding decisions in data, and advancing initiatives in environments that rely on trust, collaboration, and shared purpose. I have led efforts that produced financial savings, stabilized rising benefit costs, strengthened institutional equity, modernized systems, and enhanced the employee experience—all while keeping mission, values, and community at the forefront. I approach my work as a partner and problem-solver. I enjoy collaborating with colleagues to untangle complex challenges, ask thoughtful questions, and translate insights into action. I bring a steady, people-centered, and data-informed approach to change, and strive to provide guidance and solutions that strengthen both the institution and the people who make it thrive.

Experience

  • Washington and Lee University (On-site)
    • Executive Director of Human Resources
      Jul 2022 - Present · 4 yrs

    • Executive Director of Budgets and Compensation
      Jul 2018 - Jun 2022 · 4 yrs

    • Manager for Compensation Programs
      Oct 2008 - Jun 2018 · 9 yrs 9 mos