Kimberley Williams
Lifelong Dorchester resident Dr. Kimberley Williams was recognized recently for her impact on education. Williams, CEO of Match Education, was named an honoree at the 2026 New England Women’s Leadership Awards (NEWLA). With deep roots in the community and a career dedicated to advancing student success, this recognition highlights both her professional achievements and her longstanding connection to Boston’s youth.
As a proud alumna, board member and parent at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Dorchester, Williams credits the organization as foundational to her leadership journey. Her connection to NEWLA is also personal, as she previously co-chaired the event in 2017 alongside her daughter, reflecting a multigenerational commitment to leadership and service in the Boston community.
Match Education is a Boston-based charter public school with three campuses in Boston focused on delivering high-quality education to approximately 1,200 K-12 students. In this role, Williams draws on more than two decades of experience to guide academic outcomes and strengthen opportunities for students across the city.
Prior to joining Match Education, Williams spent 22 years with Boston Public Schools, serving as a principal and leading district-wide initiatives focused on social-emotional learning and closing achievement gaps. Her work has consistently centered on improving outcomes for historically underserved students and ensuring equitable access to resources and support. She filled a variety of roles in the BPS system including work as a vice principal and a senior equity officer. She also worked as chief of Equity & Special Initiatives at the Codman Academy Charter Public School, where she led district-wide equity, compliance and antidiscrimination initiatives, fostering inclusive policies aligned with Title IX and ADA guidelines. In addition to these duties at Codman, she was support for strategic partnerships to secure resources for student enrichment, SEL programs and mental health services.
Williams’ commitment to education is further reflected in her academic and leadership background. She holds a Ph.D. in education, leadership and policy studies from UMass Boston and serves as vice chair of the Black Educators Alliance of Massachusetts, where she continues to advocate for educators and students across the state.
“With every step of my journey, from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Dorchester to leading Match Education, I’ve been guided by a deep belief in the potential of Boston’s young people,” she says. “This recognition is not just about me, but about the community that shaped me and the responsibility we all share to create opportunities for the next generation.”
