Dr. Barbara Butts Williams is an author, independent board director and accomplished corporate, academic, and community leader. A strategic and innovative thinker with strong business acumen leading to business growth and sustainability, Barbara’s expertise in cultural and organizational transformation, talent management, and strategy has had a positive impact on several premier organizations in both regulated and non-regulated industries throughout her career.

A retired Executive Dean, Social Responsibility and Community Engagement and Dean Emerita of Business and Technology at Capella University. Barbara is recognized for her compelling work serving and supporting communities and the lives of individuals throughout the country. Previously at Capella, she served as dean of the School of Business and Technology and dean of School of Education with leadership responsibility for P&L and growth strategies, external relations and business partnerships, academic programs, learner success outcomes, and faculty and staff. A key leader at Capella, she has worked closely with corporate and community leaders, academic institutions, external accreditation agencies, and regulatory authorities throughout the U.S. Additionally, she has established relationships with universities and businesses in Latin America, India, and UAE.

Dr. Butts Williams’ roles prior to Capella University included president of Growth Partners Consulting, a firm she founded to provide strategic consulting to small- and medium-sized organizations in organizational change, talent management, strategic planning, and business development. She served as chief global officer, Leadership Development, Talent Management & Succession Planning and chief education officer at the St. Paul Companies (now The Travelers Companies), and with other premier organizations, such as Wilson Learning Corporation, Control Data Corporation (Ceridian), University of Michigan’s School of Business, and Pennsylvania Department of Health, where she held senior leadership roles in marketing, strategic business development, portfolio management, product development and human capita and business unit leader.

Barbara has served on multiple boards including corporate, nonprofit, and private. Her board assignments include Board of Directors Member, Allina Health, Chair, Human Resources and Compensation and Member and former Interim Chair, Philanthropy Committees Allina Health (a $4.4B+ enterprise), Board of Advisors, Capella University’s School of Business and Technology, Board of Directors, Minnesota’s Chapter- National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) and Children’s Dental Services of Minnesota. Additionally, she served on the Board of Directors, HMN Financial Inc./Home Federal Savings Bank (Nasdaq: HMNF- now Alerus) member of the Executive Loan and Credit, Compensation and Executive Committees. Barbara served as Board Chair, Metropolitan Economic Development Association (MEDA), Vice-Chair and Board Member of the Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority (U.S. Bank Stadium), Board Chair, Metro State University Foundation Board, and Board Member, Minnesota Met Council (Minneapolis representative) a regional planning board. And, she held other leadership and advisory roles serving various nonprofit, civic, and education organizations. Barbara’s leadership and board experience give her a strong grasp of governance, best practices, and forward planning.

Barbara has received numerous recognitions honoring her exceptional board leadership, governance expertise, and leadership in social responsibility and community impact including Twin Cities Business Magazine (Outstanding Board Directors Award 2019), Junior Achievement Upper-Midwest (Business Hall of Fame Laureate 2019), AARP / Pollen 50 over 50 (Top 10 Inspiring Business Leaders Honoree 2017), and Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal (Women in Business Career Achievement Recipient 2016). Dr. Butts Williams is recognized by the National Corporate Board of Directors Association as a Board Leadership Fellow.

Education:
• PhD, Human and Organizational Systems, Fielding Graduate University, Santa Barbara, California
• MA, Organizational Development, Fielding Graduate University, Santa Barbara, California
• MALS, Leadership and Business, Hamline University, St. Paul, Minnesota
• BA, History and Political Science, Morgan State University, Baltimore, Maryland