LORMAN, Miss. — In a profession often defined by wins and losses, it is influence, vision, and legacy that ultimately separate leaders from managers. At Alcorn State University, LaToya M. Williams, Senior Associate Athletic Director and Senior Woman Administrator (SWA) embodies that difference daily.
A veteran leader and respected voice within Braves Athletics, LaToya M. Williams has distinguished herself as a transformative force boldly shaping the present while paving powerful pathways for the future of women leaders in sports. Having completed the esteemed Women Leaders in Sports Leadership Enhancement Institute (LEI) in 2024 and most recently participating in The Emerging Women in Sports Leadership Summit, Williams continues to affirm her unwavering commitment to growth, advancement, and visibility for women in this industry. She leads with both excellence and intention ensuring that women are not only present in every room, but influential at every level where decisions are made, strategies are shaped, and impact is realized.
Williams provides strategic oversight of Alcorn State Football, game day operations and fan activations, athletic communications, sports medicine, and sports performance, while also serving as the department's Title IX Coordinator. In her SWA role, she works in intentional partnership with all women's sports programs serving as an advisor, advocate, and trusted resource dedicated to the advancement, experience, and holistic development of female student-athletes.
Additionally, Williams is steering the department through a transformational rebrand leading Alcorn State Athletics into a new era with a transition to a new athletic apparel partner and managing several high-profile special projects designed to elevate the student-athlete experience.
For Williams, these leadership roles are not just about responsibility they are about legacy. And legacy, she believes, is built in rooms where women leaders belong, lead, and thrive.
Most recently, Williams completed The Emerging Women in Sports Leadership Summit in Durham, North Carolina an intentional space designed to promote the growth, development, and connection of women across all levels of athletics. The Summit brought together student-athletes, graduate assistants, young professionals, and seasoned executives for an immersive leadership experience that focused on real-world strategies for navigating and excelling in the sports industry.
Powerful sessions included:
- Elevating Your Communication
- Mastering Project Management
- Navigating Career Transitions
- Bold Leadership Moves
- Networking Roundtables
Keynote speakers included some of the most influential voices in sports today:
- Francie Gottsegen, President, North Carolina Football Club
- Christy Hedgpeth, President, Playfly Sports Properties
- Jacqie McWilliams Parker, Commissioner, CIAA
- Sherika A. Montgomery, Commissioner, Big South Conference
- Patti Phillips, CEO, Women Leaders in Sports
For Williams, the experience was personal, powerful, and proof that women leaders belong in every conversation shaping the future of sports.
"Being in rooms filled with women leading boldly and authentically was awe-inspiring. The conversations were igniting. The connections were intentional. This experience reminded me that it's not about who you know it's about who knows you, who speaks your name in rooms of opportunity, and how you use your influence to open doors for others. Women in this industry cannot afford to play small. We must lead louder, connect deeper, and move with purpose. The power of influence is real and the future of this industry will be shaped by women who are fearless enough to take up space and bring others with them."
Williams' leadership philosophy is grounded in a powerful truth
"Only inspired people inspire people." It is a mantra that fuels her passion for leadership and underscores her mission of building bridges for women in sports leadership everywhere.
"Leadership is about legacy," Williams added. "It's about creating systems, networks, and spaces where women are seen, heard, and valued. It's about making sure that the next woman walking in the room doesn't have to fight the same battles I did because the door is already open, the table is already set, and the seat is already waiting for her."
Williams also extended her heartfelt gratitude to those who made the experience possible.
"I would like to sincerely thank Patti Phillips, the entire Women Leaders team, and the Durham Sports Commission for this extraordinary opportunity," Williams said. "It was nothing short of transformative a reminder of who we are, what we bring to the table, and how vital our presence is in every space within this industry."
At Alcorn State University and beyond, LaToya M. Williams isn't just building a career; she's building a legacy, shifting a culture, and leading a movement that unapologetically makes room for women to lead, thrive, and win at every level of sports.
