Meet Ben Williams

2022 Philanthropist of the Year Finalist

Ben is an alumnus of Albany Academy and is currently enrolled at the Lally School of Management at RPI. Ben has a long history of working with youth in the Capital District. He volunteered at organizations including the YMCA and Parsons Child & Family Center and Vanderheyden Hall. He also has experience with tutoring, teaching and mentoring.  

In 2017, Ben was awarded the Adult Achiever Award at the Capital District YMCA Black & Latino Achievers Banquet. That same year Ben began as an administrator for Good Ground Family Church. In 2019 he became the Executive Director of the Connect Center.   

Early last year Ben cut the ribbon on the Connect Center’s S.T.E.A.M. Lab and began programming in the middle of a pandemic. He is currently enrolled in the 2022 Emerging Nonprofit Leadership Accelerator fellowship. 

United Way's Capital Region Philanthropist of the Year award recognizes an individual who has positively impacted our community. 

Join us at the NYS Museum on June 9, 2022, when we reveal this year’s Capital Region Philanthropist of the Year!