Kelly M. Williams ’86, managing director and head of the Customized Fund Investment Group at Credit
Suisse, was honored as a “Woman of Power and Influence,” by the New York chapter of the National Organization for Women (NOW).
A member of the College’s Board of Trustees, Williams asked President Stephen C. Ainlay to present her with the award at a ceremony at the Hilton New York Thursday evening, June 21.
“We are delighted that the National Organization for Women has recognized Kelly as an outstanding leader and mentor,” Ainlay said. “We are proud of her accomplishments and are truly honored to be able to help her celebrate this wonderful award.”
Established in 1988, the “Women of Power and Influence” awards celebrate the achievements of extraordinary women in business, finance, entrepreneurship, law, politics and the arts.
Others honored at the event included Leslie Abi-Karam, executive vice president and president, communications solutions, Pitney Bowes; Julie Macklowe, founder and CEO of vbeauté, the luxury cosmetics and skin care company; Melinda M. White, executive vice president, Revenue Development at Frontier Communications Corporation; Paula H. Anderson, a partner at Shearman & Sterling LLP; and Donna Dabney, vice president, secretary and corporate governance counsel of Alcoa.
At Union, Williams earned a bachelor’s degree magna cum laude in political science and mathematics. She received a law degree from New York University in 1989 and spent her early career in global finance law at Prudential. In 2000, she joined Credit Suisse, one of the leading private equity and real estate investment management firms in the world.
Since 2006, Kelly has served as a mentor to fellows of the Robert and Susan Toigo Foundation. She was elected to the YWCA Academy of Women Leaders in 2007. She is also a member of the Metro Chapter of the Young Presidents Organization. Last year, American Banker magazine named her one of the 25 Most Powerful Women in Finance.
A generous benefactor of the College, Williams has counseled students seeking careers in the finance industry and hosted a series of events for alumni. She has been a member of the Board of Trustees since 2008.