In 1995, Don Williams, then Chairman of Trammell Crow Company, established the Foundation for Community Empowerment to develop an asset-based, comprehensive renewal initiative in the low-income neighborhoods of Southern Dallas. Focusing its initial efforts on the South Dallas/Fair Park area, FCE’s goal was to create, in collaboration with community-based schools and churches, a successful model of redevelopment that can be replicated throughout the Southern Sector.
Don was a guiding force at Trammell Crow, a global commercial real estate services and investment firm, for three decades. He served as Managing Partner from 1977 to 1990, as President and CEO from 1990 to 1994, as Chairman from 1994 to 2002, and as Chairman Emeritus from 2002 to 2006.
Don’s commitment to civic service and urban redevelopment was honed while he was active in the corporate sector. During the past two decades, he held leadership positions on countless boards and commissions in Dallas designed to improve many facets of urban life. He has been particularly active in projects focused on affordable housing, economic development, better education, and faith-based initiatives.
Don has served on boards or committees of influential universities, foundations, banks, and Fortune 1000 companies across the nation. He served on the Advisory Board of the Peter F. Drucker Foundation for Nonprofit Management (currently the Leader to Leader Institute), and holds current or past leadership posts at Stanford, Pepperdine, George Washington, and Abilene Christian Universities He served as Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Dallas Foundation and the Dean’s Council of Harvard University’s JFK School of Government. He is also a director of the Hoblitzelle Foundation and the Enterprise Foundation.
In Dallas, he has served or is currently serving on the boards of the Urban League, Habitat for Humanity, the Junior League, and numerous other organizations.
Don received his B.S. from Abilene Christian University and his L.L.B. from George Washington University Law School.
He and his wife, Ellen, live in Dallas. He has 5 children and 11 grandchildren.