Williams serves as chair of CCJ’s Board of Directors.
Diane Williams served for nearly 20 years as the leader of the Safer Foundation, one of the nation’s largest nonprofit organizations providing workforce development, housing, mental health treatment, and access to medical services for justice-involved individuals. Safer operates in both institutional and community settings and, under contract with the Illinois Department of Corrections, manages two adult transition centers with a combined total of 350 beds.In 2011, Williams was honored by President Obama with the Champion of Change award. She continues to consult on reentry and related issues for various federal agencies and organizations. She also coaches and supports the development of emerging leaders in the nonprofit corrections sector.For over a decade, Williams has served on the boards of both the International Corrections and Prisons Association (ICPA) and the International Association for Correctional and Forensic Psychology (IACFP). After more than 10 years as president of the ICPA North American Chapter, she stepped down in January 2025 but remains an active board member. She is also the former chair of the National Institute of Corrections Advisory Board.
