University Board Chair inducted in Del. Business Hall of Fame
Dr. Devona Williams, Chairperson of the Delaware State University Board of Trustees and founder of Goeins-Williams Associates, Inc., has added another accomplishment to her impressive career with her induction into the Delaware Business Hall of Fame (DBHF).
She also is among this year’s trio of honorees who represent the first-ever African Americans inducted into the DBHF since its establishment in 1990. Also among the 2020 inductees are William “Bill” Allen Jr., founder and CEO of ALW Sourcing LLC, and Dana Herbert, Expert Pastry and Savory Chef, and founder of Desserts by Dana.
The Board Chair and her fellow honorees were formally inducted Oct. 20 during a virtual DBHF ceremony – due to the COVID-19 pandemic – produced by the Junior Achievement of Delaware’s Young Professional Board. University President Tony Allen gave a testimonial concerning Dr. Williams during the event.
“Reaching this historic milestone for the Delaware Business Leaders Hall of Fame is not a destination,” says Junior Achievement of Delaware President Rob Eppes, “but is rather the beginning of a more inclusive era as we seek to recognize outstanding business role models representing all of the communities we serve.”
Dr. Williams is the President/CEO of Goeins-Williams Associates, Inc., (GWA), a highly successful consulting business that has helped more than 5,000 individuals in hundreds of organizations increase their performance, productivity, and effectiveness. The list of GWA clients includes AstraZeneca, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Christina Health Systems, the DuPont Corporation, the State of Delaware, and countless others.
Currently in its 31st year, GWA has been recognized regionally and nationally as one of the top women-owned and minority owned enterprises by the Delaware Today magazine, the Denver Business Journal, and is the recipient of the Marvin S. Gilman Superstars in Business Award.
Concurrent with her GWA success, Dr. Williams also served as a University of Delaware faculty member in its Organizational and Community Leadership Program School of Urban Affairs and its College of Human Resources, Education and Public Policy.
She holds a Ph.D. in Urban Affairs and Public Policy from the University of Delaware, with specialization in social policy, program planning and analysis. She is the author of The Intentional Consultant: How to grow a sustainable practice.
Dr. Williams – who was first appointed to the University’s Board of Trustee by former Gov. Jack Markell in 2012 – is currently serving her second six-year term after being reappointed by Gov. John Carney. After being elected as the Board Vice Chair in 2017, she was elevated to acting Board Chair in January 2018 and subsequently elected permanent Board Chair six months later.
In addition to her Board Chairmanship, Dr. Williams is a member of the Governor’s Supplier Diversity Council and is a Past President of the Delaware Chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners.