YWCA Dayton announces new President & CEO

YWCA Dayton, the region’s oldest women’s organization, is pleased to name Terra Fox Williams as the next president and CEO.Fox Williams’ commitment to YWCA Dayton’s mission of eliminating racism and empowering women can be seen across her more than 26-year career. This includes her most recent position as Director for the Office of Health Promotion at Public Health — Dayton & Montgomery County, where she worked to end health disparities, build partnerships and cultivate an inclusive work culture.Fox Williams will take on her new role leading YWCA Dayton starting June 7.“It is an honor and a privilege to be chosen to lead and serve in such a prestigious organization as YWCA Dayton. Throughout my life, I have found that a resume alone may outline the journey, but it is your ‘why’ that drives that journey. My ‘why’ has always centered on being a voice for the voiceless, and a resource to uplift and empower humanity,” Fox Williams said.YWCA Dayton’s Board of Directors and leadership team selected Fox Williams after an extensive four-month search.“We are excited to welcome Terra Fox Williams to YWCA Dayton and are confident she will bring her unwavering commitment and deep experience as a community leader to the YW’s mission of eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all,” said Board Chair Jennifer Heapy.At Public Health, Fox Williams was responsible for the strategic, operational and fiscal management for the Office of Health Promotion for Montgomery County. This includes supervising the Bureau for Maternal & Child Health; Women, Infant and Children (WIC); Local Office on Minority Health; Food Equity Task Force, EveryOne Reach One Maternal and Infant Vitality Task Force; Health Equity Strategies and Initiatives; and Chronic Disease and Prevention.Her successes include establishing a 5-year strategic plan for the Office of Health Promotion; securing more than $4.5 million in state and federal funds to address infant mortality; and implementing the Maternal & Child Health Division.Beyond her most recent role, Fox Williams has decades of experience in public health and organizational leadership including past roles with Miami Valley Child Development Center, Community Health Centers of Greater Dayton, Wilberforce University, Wright State University Boonshoft School or of Medicine, and Warren County Combined Health District.Fox Williams holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Southern University and A&M College and a Master of Science in Public Health from Wright State University.In her new role as president and CEO, Fox Williams will be leading an organization that operates the only domestic violence shelters and rape crisis centers in Montgomery and Preble Counties (including a 24/7 crisis hotline), four transitional housing programs for women and families, youth leadership and prevention education programming, and racial and social justice advocacy efforts.YWCA Dayton’s Board of Directors thanks Patricia McDonald, interim president and CEO, who has been leading the organization since January.