Kim Williams, MSSW

Principal

Health Management Associates

New York, NY

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Kim Williams is an experienced executive, policy leader and social worker with a record of transformational growth, accomplishment, and innovation in the behavioral health sector. Throughout her career, she has focused on collaboratively driving solutions that improve access to equitable, high-quality and affirming care for marginalized communities.

Before joining HMA, Kim was president and chief executive officer (CEO) of Vibrant Emotional Health, formerly the Mental Health Association of New York City, Inc. As CEO, Kim oversaw substantial organizational change, growing the company’s staff two times over and its revenue by 10 times. She led a transformative rebrand, a three-year strategic plan, an organizational redesign, and prioritized a culture centered on equity and belonging. She also oversaw the expansion of Vibrant’s premier programs, including the successful launch and growth of the national 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

Kim directed Vibrant’s Center for Policy, Advocacy and Education and is the co-founder and former leader of multiple cross-systems stakeholder coalitions including the Geriatric Mental Health Alliance (GMHA) of New York, a nationally recognized coalition focused on improving older adult mental health policy and practice.

Kim has led a number of technical assistance and research initiatives including projects on Medicare financing of mental health services for older adults, integrating behavioral health into patient centered medical homes, and integrating older adult behavioral health into long-term care rebalancing. Kim has also written and contributed to various reports, articles, and publications on mental health and older adults. She is a recognized expert and has presented extensively on these topics, including testifying before Congress and the New York state legislature.

Kim serves on several advisory committees and boards including the New York State Interagency Geriatric Mental Health and Chemical Dependence Planning Council, the New York State Health Foundation Community Advisory Committee, Mental Health News Education Inc., and United Community Schools. She is a member of the National Coalition on Mental Health and Aging and has previously served as chair.

Kim earned her Master of Science in Social Work, concentrating in policy practice, from Columbia University’s School of Social Work. She also has a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington.