partners
in change

David A. Williams is vice president of real estate, impact and partnerships at Lafayette Square, an investment firm focused on creating opportunity in overlooked places and underserved markets.  

Previously, David served as the director of policy outreach at Opportunity Insights, a research and public policy lab based at Harvard University dedicated to using big data to improve upward mobility in America. He supported research and evidence-based policy change by supporting partnerships with communities across the country, including a regional economic opportunity initiative in Charlotte, North Carolina, and a national housing mobility initiative. 

David served as a senior advisor to the mayor of Detroit and as a member of the mayor’s economic development team, managing large-scale real estate and community revitalization projects, neighborhood planning initiatives, and policies related to economic mobility, land use and equitable development. He has also served as an affordable housing and community development attorney and a nonprofit management consultant. 

David received an Bachelor of Arts from Harvard College and a Juris Doctorate from Harvard Law School, where he served as president of the Harvard Legal Aid Bureau, focusing on anti-foreclosure and anti-eviction law and policy.  

David also serves on the board of directors of Up for Growth, is a non-resident fellow at the Urban Institute and serves as a policy advisor to High Opportunity Neighborhood Partners.