Cynthia Williams

Cindy A. Williams is assistant director for the Net-Zero Energy Alliance at Stanford’s Precourt Institute for Energy, where she is responsible for building industry engagement and strategic industry partnerships. The Net-Zero Alliance (NZA), Stanford’s newest initiative, is established as a vehicle for large global companies to form research and educational relationships with Stanford University that could provide strategic direction and technology solutions toward a net-zero future. Additionally, she oversees the Strategic Energy Analysis affiliates program and Net-Zero Energy executive education. Prior to this, she was the assistant director for external engagement at Precourt Institute for Energy (2017-2024) where she was responsible for growing a portfolio of policy, technology, and regional global engagement programs including Stanford’s flagship energy programs: Global Energy Forum, Energy Solutions Week, Energy Innovation Day, Global Energy Roundtables, Global Energy Dialogues, and the Global Energy Heroes prize which awards $20k prizes to young people who are impacting their communities with sustainable energy solutions. Before joining the Precourt Institute for Energy she served 13 years at the Stanford University Office of Public Affairs where she led corporate engagement efforts as director of Stanford Executive Briefings (2007-2016), programming for Stanford University’s 125th Anniversary (2015-2017), and as co-producer of Stanford’s largest community outreach engagement effort, Community Day at Stanford (2004-2006). Her volunteer board work includes serving as a board member of Ishimwe Center (2008-2019), and as executive producer and director of Silicon Valley Night to Shine (2016-2018).