Donna Williams: A Phenomenal Career in Business and Education

Noteworthy Women - March 2025

Donna Williams has built an extraordinary career spanning business and education.

- by Maurice Singleton

Noteworthy Women is supported by

Donna Williams’s journey began in 1976 as an accountant for Amoco Production Company in Lafayette, Louisiana. In 1981, after a family health event, she returned to the Mississippi Gulf Coast and continued her career at Mason Chamberlin in Hancock County.

While at Mason Chamberlin, Williams pursued her MBA by attending evening classes on the University of Southern Mississippi’s Gulf Park campus. In 1984, she moved to Jackson, Mississippi, joining Delphi Packard Electric in Madison. Over the next 25 years, she advanced from Accounting One to Accounting Two and eventually to Finance Administrator.

“I started at the lower levels, but I moved up,” Williams said. She held the Finance Administrator position for the last ten years of her career at Delphi.

Williams credits Delphi for fostering a culture of continuous learning. “They paid for me to earn my Ph.D. in Business Administration with an emphasis in Management,” she explained. “They covered tuition, books—everything.”

In 2009, when Delphi relocated its operations to Ohio and Mexico, Williams chose not to transfer. Instead, she transitioned into academia. Two of her doctoral classmates at Jackson State University were in leadership roles at Grambling State University, and she was hired as an assistant professor in management. Her business expertise led to her appointment as Chair of the Department of Management and Marketing.
​

While at Grambling, Williams maintained her home in Clinton, commuting on weekends. In 2012, she took an assistant professor position at Alcorn State University. Within two years, she was appointed Interim Chair of the School of Business and later promoted to Chair.

Williams’ leadership continued to grow, and she became Interim Dean of the School of Business. In 2018, she was officially named Dean, a position she held until her retirement in December 2020.

“We are extremely proud of Donna and all of her accomplishments,” said her sister Clementine Williams. “She has worked tirelessly and touched countless lives in both corporate settings and academia.”

Williams has always set high expectations for herself. A high-achieving student, she attended St. Rose de Lima Elementary School in Bay St. Louis, a parochial institution for African American Catholics. She graduated with top honors and received the American Legion leadership award. After St. Rose’s high school closed in 1968, she transitioned to Bay Junior High and later Bay High, graduating in 1972.

Her high school years were marked by both academic success and historic achievements. As a sophomore, she became the first African American maid on the homecoming court, an honor awarded by her classmates. She excelled in French, influenced by her teacher, Emily de Montluzin, and her father, a World War II veteran who had served in France.

After high school, Williams enrolled at the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg. Initially undecided on a major, she was drawn to mathematics, eventually discovering her passion for accounting. Childhood memories of playing store with her younger sister and receiving toy cash registers as birthday gifts hinted at her future career path.

A pivotal experience was working at TG&Y, a local retail store. “I was the cashier on Sundays,” she recalled. “Back then, we calculated change manually—an experience that helped shape my future in accounting.”

Beyond her professional achievements, Williams has been actively involved in community service. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., the Forward Lookers Federated Club, and the Knights of Peter Claver Ladies Auxiliary, where she has served in various leadership roles, including Gulf Coast District President and National Treasurer.
​
Throughout her life, Williams has embodied perseverance and excellence. Her impact in both business and academia continues to inspire generations, proving that education and determination can open countless doors.
 

---

Enjoy this feature?