FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

YMCA of the USA Names New General Counsel

Angela Williams Brings 19 Years of Diverse Legal Experience to National YMCA Office

CHICAGO, December 7, 2006—YMCA of the USA (Y-USA), the national resource office for America’s 2,617 YMCAs, today announced the hiring of Angela Williams as general counsel.  Ms. Williams joins Y-USA from the Bush-Clinton Katrina Fund, where as interfaith liaison/program advisor she assessed the needs of faith communities in the Gulf Region and managed the distribution of $27 million in grants to renew and rebuild houses of worship.

Ms. Williams brings more than 19 years of legal experience in the for-profit, not-for-profit and government sectors to Y-USA. Her previous positions include: vice president and deputy general counsel for Sears, Roebuck & Co.; attorney for Bryan Cave LLP, a Washington, D.C.-based international law firm; special counsel on criminal law for Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.); trial attorney for the Department of Justice’s National Church Arson Task Force; and assistant U.S. attorney in Florida. She began her career as an assistant staff judge advocate for the United States Air Force, serving on active duty in Kansas, the Republic of Korea and Washington, D.C.

“Angela Williams possesses the kind of experience that a major national not-for-profit organization needs today in its general counsel,” said Neil Nicoll, president and CEO of YMCA of the USA.  “She is bringing to Y-USA a great legal mind, a strong record of achievement and a demonstrated community-service orientation. All of these attributes will serve her well as a steward of the YMCA’s charitable mission.”

In addition to her legal leadership, Ms. Williams is also a dedicated minister and community advocate. Recognized as a leader by the Aspen Institute, she was selected last year to be a Henry Crown Fellow. This fellowship seeks to develop the next generation of community-spirited leaders. Ms. Williams is the founder and CEO of Angelaw Ministries and WoW 4 the Word Ministries, both of which seek to inspire men and women to identify and use their God-given gifts and talents. She is also President of the board of directors of Christian Services Charities, a federation that facilitates access to and marketing for workplace giving campaigns on behalf of nearly 70 Christian charities nationwide. She formerly served on the board of directors of the YWCA National Capital Area.

Ms. Williams holds a bachelor’s degree in American government from the University of Virginia, a master of divinity degree from the Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology of Virginia Union University and a juris doctor from the University of Texas School of Law.

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About YMCA of the USA
YMCA of the USA is the national resource office for the nation’s 2,617 YMCAs, which serve more than 20.2 million people each year, including 9.5 million children, uniting men, women and children of all ages, faiths, backgrounds, abilities and income levels. From urban areas to small towns, YMCAs are a place for people to belong, serving America’s communities for more than 150 years by building healthy spirit, mind and body for all. Visit www.ymca.net to find your local YMCA.

For more information or an interview with Ms. Williams, please contact:

Leah Cunningham Pouw
YMCA of the USA
(312) 419-8325
leah.pouw@ymca.net