Dennis Williams (Class of 1990), Senior Vice President, Corporate Affairs & Corporate Social Responsibility, Home Box Office, Inc (HBO)
A 20-year HBO veteran, Williams joined the company in November 1997 in Human Resources as an employment recruiter. In September 1998, he moved to Affiliate Sales as a manager for national account training for satellite technologies. He then transitioned to manager, Affiliate Marketing (now Domestic Network Distribution), in May 2003, where he led and collaborated on multicultural initiatives. Williams was named director, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), when the area was first formed in 2010, responsible for leading a bi-coastal team to cultivate and streamline HBO’s philanthropic efforts. In 2017, Williams was promoted to Senior Vice President, Corporate Social Responsibility, and is responsible for the company’s social impact initiatives and philanthropic strategies. He was promoted to this position in May 2017.
Under his leadership, CSR has enhanced HBO’s presence within the communities in which the company does business; expanded and realigned corporate giving efforts with philanthropic partners, including non-profit organizations; amplified social issues stemming from the network’s programming; and established relationships that strengthen the company’s commitment to developing the next generation of talent. Within HBO, Williams and his team have engaged employees in the company’s community impact endeavors through such programs as the “Youth Enrichment Series,” non-profit volunteer activities and annual charity campaigns.
Williams is an advocate for equality in education and LGBT rights and he serves on the board for The Fund for Public Schools, Horizons National, and New York’s LGBTQ Community Center.
Williams holds a B.A. in English from Hamline University. He resides in Brooklyn, New York, with his partner and son.