Amelia Williamson is Principal and Chief Strategist of AWA Consults. AWA is a boutique social impact agency whose mission is to build bridges across philanthropy, community, and influence. AWA provides philanthropic advising, organizational development and strategy building, specializing in services for high impact individuals and organizations. AWA has advised organizations such as the Los Angeles Clippers, Reese Witherspoon’s production company Hello Sunshine and Baby2Baby.
Before launching AWA, Williamson served as the President of the Magic Johnson Foundation whose mission is to provide resources, build participation, and inspire self-sufficiency in underserved communities. Since joining the Foundation in 2007, Williamson has held the positions of Program Director, developing the foundation’s key youth initiative; Vice President leading operations and growth strategy; and President with a focus to increase the organization’s overall impact. These roles allowed her to successfully expand their footprint in urban communities across the US. Most notable under Williamson’s leadership was the launch of MJF’s first major donor campaign that resulted in $1M raised in two weeks for the organization’s 20th anniversary. Williamson’s proudest moment includes launching Point Forward Day, a national day of HIV/AIDS testing and awareness in honor of Earvin “Magic” Johnsons’ announcement back in 1992. In 2014, inspired and supported by Mr. Johnson, Williamson made a commitment to realizing her own entrepreneurial aspirations.
Williamson’s career journey includes management roles for Junior Achievement of Southern California, the Girl Scouts of America and USC’s Center for Civic Culture and Religion where her work spanned across organizational strategy, fundraising, communications, and business development. Throughout her career Williamson has earned a reputation as a true professional who maintains a fixed commitment to integrity and holistic excellence. Williamson is a strong advocate for social justice, the development of women and girls, and equity in philanthropy.
A strong believer in service, Williamson co- chairs the Board for The Liberty Hill Foundation. Most recently Williamson was appointed by the Mayor to the Los Angeles oversight commission for measure HHH, a measure to issue $1.2 billion in bonds to fund housing for homeless people and people at risk of becoming homeless. Williamson also serves as vice chair for Chrysalis, and serves on the Board of Councilors for USC Sol Price School of Policy and is a Trustee for the CA Science Center.
Williamson graduated cum laude from Wilberforce University in Ohio and has a bachelor’s degree in mass media communications. She also holds a master’s degree in organizational development with an emphasis in leadership from Antioch University. Committed to the progressive maturation of underserved communities and a firm belief in giving back—Williamson embodies a 21st century approach to philanthropy of not just being for the community but of it.
Williamson currently resides in Los Angeles with her husband Derrick, a devout educator and writer and their two young children, Cain and Harlem.
Client engagement Associate
Lynel Washington
Lynel Johnson Washington is an engaged administrative professional with over 17 years of experience in wrangling varied tasks (scheduling, project management, marketing, public relations). Armed with a BA in Psychology and MEd as a Human Services Counselor earned at the University of New Orleans, she started her career trajectory as a h
Lynel Johnson Washington is an engaged administrative professional with over 17 years of experience in wrangling varied tasks (scheduling, project management, marketing, public relations). Armed with a BA in Psychology and MEd as a Human Services Counselor earned at the University of New Orleans, she started her career trajectory as a human services counselor, but it’s her interpersonal skills, creativity, and close attention to details that make her successful as Client Engagement Associate for AWA Consults, Inc.
Her devotion to literary enrichment and reading is behind her enthusiastically grabbing an editor’s cap and some red Sharpies to dive into written word work. Highlights include contributing “Blessings from a Hurricane” to the anthology Chicken Soup for the Soul: Twins and More, and publication of her story, “The Revelation of My Destiny,” in the Color Me Butterfly newsletter.
Now, her career is passionately based on doing what she loves most. Lynel thrives on creativity and is a skilled juggler of many tasks! Complex situations are no match for her ever-sharpening administrative weapons (identifying problems, prioritization, strategic and critical thinking, assessment, teamwork, and experience) and she uses them to slay dragons of productivity and enable her team to stay optimally functional and effective.