Sobrato Family Foundation announces Rick Williams as CEO

The Sobrato Family Foundation’s Board of Trustees today announced the appointment of Rick Williams, a long-time Silicon Valley resident and nonprofit leader, as Chief Executive Officer, effective February 2013. “We are thrilled Rick is joining the Foundation. He is an enormously talented individual who brings 30 years of experience in key roles that span the nonprofit, public and foundation sectors,” said Lisa Sobrato Sonsini, President of the Foundation’s board. “Our trustees felt that the work he has done—running nonprofits, building organizational capacity, designing and implementing strategic philanthropic programs, and working productively with boards—will serve our family very well.”

Williams is currently the President of Realize Consulting Group, a management consultant practice he founded in 2005, where he counts many of the country’s leading foundations as his clients. He also manages the Asset Funders Network, USA, a national community of foundations and grantmakers advancing programs and policies that promote economic opportunity by helping low-income individuals build and protect financial assets. From 2001-2005, Williams was National Programs Director at the Charles and Helen Schwab Foundation where he oversaw human services grantmaking in the areas of homelessness, substance abuse, foster youth, after-school services, and poverty prevention. Williams said, “I am excited to join the Sobrato Family Foundation and help advance the family’s desire to build a vibrant community in which all have access to the education and opportunities they need to thrive.”

Williams started his career working in mental health services in Santa Clara County where he held positions of Director of the county’s psychiatric inpatient services and Deputy Director of the Santa Clara County’s Mental Health Department. He later served as the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer for EMQ Children and Family Services, a statewide children’s behavioral healthcare organization based in Northern California. Williams holds a BS in clinical psychology from Washington State University and a master’s degree in clinical psychology and organizational development from Antioch University.