Carme Williams joined Washburn McGoldrick as a Senior Consultant in 2021, bringing nearly three decades of distinguished experience in corporate and nonprofit leadership, with a deep focus on higher education advancement.

Carme is a seasoned leader with expertise spanning alumni and donor relations, major and planned giving, stewardship strategy, dean and faculty engagement, board development, and strategic communications. Her career includes senior advancement roles at leading institutions such as Rice University, Houston Community College Foundation, and Prairie View A&M University, where she served as Vice President of Development.

In 2018, Carme was appointed Vice President of Development at Prairie View A&M University, where she led a 48% increase in philanthropic revenue. She introduced several foundational advancement initiatives, including the university’s first Annual Report from the Office of Development, its first comprehensive Donor Endowment Report, and the establishment of University Giving Societies. Under her leadership, Prairie View A&M also implemented a comprehensive stewardship program to enhance donor engagement and long-term support.
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At Houston Community College Foundation, Carme secured a transformational $7.5 million gift to establish a new Firefighter Academy, tripled the number of scholarships awarded, and contributed to a 20% increase in the foundation’s endowment. She also guided the board of directors in aligning philanthropic strategy with the Chancellor’s highest priorities, strengthening the foundation’s impact and focus.

During her tenure at Rice University (2005–2013), Carme served as Regional Director of Major Gifts and later as Director of Development for the School of Humanities during the institution’s $1 billion Centennial Campaign. In these roles, she managed multiple advisory boards and played a key role in developing campaign strategy and collateral to support priority funding initiatives.

In addition to her consulting work, Carme is an educator and thought leader in the field. She serves as an instructor at the Rice University Center for Nonprofit Leadership, where she teaches The Art of Fundraising – Advanced Principles and Practices: Strategic Planning and Fundraising. She also teaches in the Certificate of Fundraising Leadership program at The Bush School of Government & Public Service at Texas A&M University.

Carme holds a degree from the North Carolina State University Poole College of Management and earned her Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) credential in 2009.

A committed volunteer leader, Carme has served in numerous governance roles, including as inaugural Chair of the Philanthropy Committee for the NC State University Wolfpack Women in Philanthropy Steering Committee. She currently serves on the North Carolina State University Foundation Board and is a board member of the Charitable Gift Planners of Houston and the African American Development Officers. She is also the past president of the Greater Houston Association of Fundraising Professionals.