Traci Williams
Candidate
Farwest Regional Director
Date of Initiation
December 13, 1985
Chapter of Initiation
Eta Omega Chapter, Farwest Region
San Jose State University
Current Chapter
San Jose Alumnae, Farwest Region
Education
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration: Accounting
San Jose State University
Master of Business Administration
University of Phoenix
Master of Arts in Educational Leadership
San Jose State University
My Record Reflects Breadth
Wife, mother, lifelong leader, educator, and servant with a 40-year legacy in Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.—these words reflect not only who I am, but the breadth of my journey and commitment to purposeful leadership.
​
I am a proud Bay Area native from Oakland, California, and a graduate of San José State University, where I was initiated into the Eta Omega Chapter in 1985. Over four decades, my Delta journey has spanned collegiate, alumnae, regional, and national service. This experience has allowed me to contribute to the growth of our sisterhood through leadership, program development, mentorship, and organizational strengthening.
​
Throughout my 40 years of uninterrupted Delta service, I have supported and led initiatives that advance our Five-Point Programmatic Thrust, including Social Action, Emergency Response, EMBODI, Images/GEMS, Founders Day celebrations, regional conferences, leadership development initiatives, and membership education. I have also served as a facilitator, workshop presenter, and voting delegate, always focused on strengthening our collective impact and expanding opportunities for our members.
​
Professionally, I bring more than three decades of executive and operational leadership experience. I currently serve as Director of East Side Adult Education, where I lead large-scale educational programs that support thousands of students annually. My career in education spans more than 25 years and includes service as a high school principal, associate principal, and classroom teacher. Prior to entering education, I spent 13 years in Silicon Valley working in finance and accounting, experience that strengthened my strategic, fiscal, and organizational leadership.
My Service Reflects Depth
Throughout my Delta journey, I have had the privilege of serving in numerous elected and appointed leadership roles that required both vision and operational leadership.
These roles include Collegiate Chapter President, Chapter Advisor, Alumnae Chapter President, Northern California State Coordinator, and Chair of the Farwest Region Information, Communication, and Technology Team.
​
In addition, I am a certified Membership Intake Trainer and DID Facilitator, supporting the preparation and development of new members and leaders across the region. My commitment to mentorship and leadership development has remained constant throughout my service, as I continue to invest in preparing the next generation of Delta leaders.
​
Through these roles, I have worked closely with chapter leaders and regional officers to strengthen chapter operations, develop leadership capacity, and ensure that our programs are responsive to the communities we serve.
My Appointment Reflects Trust
I currently serve as Northern California State Coordinator, an appointed role and a member of the Regional Leadership Team.
​
In this capacity, I work closely with the Regional Director and regional officers to support strategic planning, statewide initiatives, and leadership coordination. My responsibilities include assisting with the planning of state meetings, communicating chapter concerns to regional leadership, supporting the implementation of regional initiatives, coordinating statewide programs such as Mock Conventions, Founders Day celebrations, Delta Days at the State Capitol, and reclamation activities, and identifying leadership training needs across the state.
​
In addition to these responsibilities, I help facilitate Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) negotiations between chapters, support conflict resolution efforts, and assist with service area revisions when needed. This work extends beyond my immediate geographic area and requires collaboration with chapters and leadership across the region to ensure clarity, fairness, and alignment with regional priorities.
​
My appointment to leadership roles during pivotal moments for the region further reflects the trust placed in my leadership. From 2020–2022, during the height of the pandemic when our sisterhood relied heavily on virtual engagement, I served as Chair of the Farwest Region Information, Communication, and Technology Team. In that role, I led the region’s digital communications and virtual operations, publishing the monthly regional e-Newsletter and the Farwest Focus Regional Journal—producing 19 regional publications. I also oversaw the setup and management of regional virtual programming, successfully coordinating 111 virtual events during the 2020–2021 sorority year and ensuring that essential meetings, trainings, and activities continued without interruption. In addition, I executed sorority ceremonies on virtual platforms, helping the region maintain its traditions and operational continuity during an unprecedented time.
​
These roles placed me at the intersection of communication, technology, and executive leadership for the region. They required strategic planning, operational precision, and the ability to support chapters and officers across the Farwest Region during a period of rapid organizational adaptation.
​
Serving in these capacities, under three Regional Directors, has allowed me to contribute meaningfully to the work of the current administration while helping to strengthen the systems, communication infrastructure, and collaborative relationships that support our region and its chapters.
My Awards Reflect Impact
The work I have been blessed to do—both professionally and within our communities—has been recognized by civic, professional, and sororal organizations.
​
These recognitions include the ACSA Administrator of the Year, the CCS Distinguished Service Award, a San Jose City Council Commendation for Educational Leadership, and a Certificate of Recognition, 25th Assembly District for educational leadership and community impact. I have also received the NAACP Dr. T.J. Owens Award for Education, which honors individuals advancing equity and opportunity in education.
​
Within our beloved sisterhood, I was deeply honored to be named Farwest Region Alumnae Soror of the Year, a recognition that reflects the trust and respect of my peers. Earlier recognitions such as Educator of the Year - Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. and National Coalition of 100 Black Women - Educator of the Year reflect a sustained commitment to leadership, service, and excellence.
Grounded in Purpose
Grounded in faith, family, and sisterhood, I have been happily married to my husband, Cornell Williams, for more than thirty years. Together we are the proud parents of two adult children, Ayanna and Aaron. Some of my most meaningful moments as a mother include handing my children their high school diplomas and pinning my daughter, Ayanna, into our illustrious sisterhood as a Delta legacy.
​
Everything I do—professionally and within Delta—is rooted in purposeful leadership, service, and a deep commitment to empowering others.
​
My record reflects breadth.
My service reflects depth.
My appointment reflects trust.
My awards reflect impact.
​
And together, they reflect a lifetime commitment to leadership that strengthens our sisterhood and the communities we serve.
