Strategic Advisor
Anthony C. Williams, JD, MPP
Strategic Advisor — Public Policy, Government Affairs & Stakeholder Strategy
Anthony C. Williams brings more than three decades of experience across public policy, government affairs, law, corporate strategy, and senior government advisory roles. His perspective helps leaders navigate complex regulatory environments, stakeholder relationships, institutional decision-making, and the intersection of business strategy and public policy. At Innovative Leadership Strategies (ILS), he contributes this breadth of expertise to help executives and organizations strengthen strategic judgment, align business objectives with institutional and stakeholder realities, and translate complex challenges into informed decisions and effective action.
Anthony C. Williams is a public policy and governmental affairs leader with more than three decades of experience across government, law, and the private sector. He serves as Managing Partner of Ballard Partners’ Sacramento office and Partner in Los Angeles, bringing deep experience in California public policy and governmental affairs.
Before joining Ballard Partners, Mr. Williams served as Director of Public Policy at Amazon. He previously served as Governor Gavin Newsom’s first Legislative Affairs Secretary and held senior advisor roles to two California Senate Presidents pro Tempore, including Policy Director and Special Counsel. Earlier in his career, he advised the Chief Justice of California and the state’s Judicial Council and served as Director of Government Affairs for the State Bar of California. He is an attorney and legislative expert who taught legislative process and ethics for nearly a decade as an Adjunct Professor of Law at the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law.
Williams holds a Master of Public Policy degree from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government and a Juris Doctor degree with distinction from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law.
At Innovative Leadership Strategies, Williams’ experience complements ILS executive advisory work by bringing additional perspective to leaders operating in regulated, government-facing, and policy-sensitive environments. His background is particularly relevant to executives managing stakeholder complexity, public-sector relationships, regulatory strategy, and consequential institutional decisions.