Living Entrepreneurship Blog / Women's Leadership

Babson Names Dr. Shakenna Williams CWEL Director of Global Initiatives

Babson College’s Center for Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership (CWEL) has named Dr. Shakenna K. Williams the new CWEL Director of Global Initiatives.  In her new role, Shakenna will be responsible for leading operations and expansion efforts for the Women Innovating Now (WIN) Lab and for formalizing the Diana International Research Institute. She will also investigate and initiate new opportunities that build on CWEL assets to advance women-led entrepreneurship worldwide.

“Joining the CWEL team and empowering women entrepreneurial leaders through the Women Innovating Now (WIN) Lab is an exciting and natural next step in my career,” says Shakenna WIlliams. “I have seen the transformation that founders go through when given access to the right networks and curriculum and look forward to creating that kind of impact with the rest of the WIN Lab team as we look to expand globally.”

Dr. Williams comes to CWEL after her outstanding contributions to Babson in her previous role as the Deputy Academic Director and Lead Faculty Director of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program. She is also an engaged Babson undergraduate alumna’94 and an active member of the Babson Black Affinity Network. In her new role, Shakenna will combine her senior leadership experience in higher education at Smith, UMass Amherst and Bay Path University, with her corporate expertise in the pharmaceutical industry and diverse experience in the not-for profit sectors, to imagine the future for global programs within the CWEL.

Shakenna earned her doctorate from Capella University, an MBA in Integrated Marketing and Communications from Oklahoma City University, and a B.S. in Finance and Investments from Babson College.  She is an active community member who volunteers with many organizations promoting women and young girls to pursue higher education and has lived the founder experience as owner and planner of two entrepreneurial ventures.

Shakenna is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.; The Links, Incorporated; The Academy of Management; Council for Independent Colleges; and the Institute of Management Consultants.  She enjoys interacting with youth and nonprofits.  In addition, she offers guidance to business owners regarding entrepreneurship and community development. Regardless of the endeavor, Shakenna exhibits her passion and true commitment for excellence and empowering others.  When she is not busy changing the world for the better, she loves to travel and spend time with her family.

 

Babson College’s Center for Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership (CWEL) has named Dr. Shakenna K. Williams the new CWEL Director of Global Initiatives.  In her new role, Shakenna will be responsible for leading operations and expansion efforts for the Women Innovating Now (WIN) Lab and for formalizing the Diana International Research Institute.