Adena Wright Williams, MBA
CEO, WrightWay Consulting. Inc; Board Member Kelly Miller Smith Foundation
Adena Wright Williams is a nationally recognized Mediator and Leadership Development Consultant. For 30 years, she has worked with organizations across sectors, including American Express, the Los Angeles Times, United Parcel Service, Baskin-Robbins, the University of Southern California, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. However, her passion lies in working with people, organizations and institutions that promote Social Justice and seek to right the world’s wrongs.
Her work focuses on developing skills in conflict resolution, leadership, strategic thinking, decision-making, emotional intelligence and managing change. Participants credit her engaging facilitation style, practical teaching methods, and extensive expertise with creating meaningful and actionable learning experiences.
Adena served on the faculty of UCLA's School Management Program for 15 years, specializing in leadership, dispute resolution, strategy, equity, and collaboration. Before UCLA, she held corporate Human Resources management positions across various industries. She has also served on numerous advisory boards, including the Kelly Miller Smith Foundation that continues the social justice work of her late father.
Adena holds a bachelor’s degree from Spelman College, an MBA from UCLA and her doctoral studies were in Human and Organizational Systems at Fielding Graduate University. She earned certifications in mediation from Harvard University and the Center for Dispute Resolution in Santa Monica, CA and is a certified EEO Investigator.
Her radio show “Adena Wright on Change” was broadcast from Phoenix to a listenership across the country.