Title: Executive Director
Company: Emergency Medicine Residents’ Association
Location: Roanoke, Texas, United States
Kris Hilburn Williams, Executive Director at the Emergency Medicine Residents’ Association, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Executives for dedication, achievements and leadership in association management.
Ms. Williams is lauded for her success in association management as the executive director of the Emergency Medicine Residents’ Association (EMRA) in the Dallas-Fort Worth area since 2022. Founded in 1974, the association includes over 19,000 residents, medical students and alumni. The EMRA is recognized as the largest and oldest resident organization worldwide, best known for serving as the voice of emergency medicine physicians-in-training and the future of its specialty.
Initially aspiring to a career in medicine, Ms. Williams began as a registered emergency medicine technologist with the fire department in Guthrie, Oklahoma. However, her path shifted towards public relations at Oklahoma Children’s Hospital. Ms. Williams’s career trajectory took a significant turn when she moved to Dallas and joined the American Association for Respiratory Care as an assistant editor from 1995 to 1998. During this time, she contributed to the peer-reviewed journal “Respiratory Care,” honing her skills in creating educational materials.
In 1998, Ms. Williams transitioned to AirLogix as a marketing and communications coordinator before returning to the American Association for Respiratory Care as a communications manager between 1999 and 2004. Her role involved promoting respiratory care awareness and highlighting members’ contributions across the U.S. Ms. Williams’s expertise in association management was further solidified during her tenure as the membership marketing manager at the American College of Emergency Physicians from 2004 to 2010.
Ms. Williams continued to excel in her field as the marketing director for the International Association of Venue Managers between 2010 and 2012 and later as the membership director for the International News Media Association until 2022. She also succeeded as a grant writer and marketing consultant for Arden Spirit in the Dallas-Fort Worth area from 2020 to 2021.
Ms. Williams embarked on her professional journey after earning an undergraduate degree in English literature from the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond in 1991. Her commitment to advancing association management was recognized with several credentials, such as the certified association executive from the Center for Association Leadership in 2008 and the association digital marketing certificate from Ricochet in 2021.
Beyond her professional roles, Ms. Williams served on the board of directors for the Dallas-Fort Worth Association Executives from 2014 to 2015. Subsequently, she held various other positions, including president from 2018 to 2019. Ms. Williams’s dedication to community service has been evident through her involvement with grant writing during the COVID-19 pandemic, securing significant funding for LVTRise in Fort Worth. She continues to serve on the board of directors for Congo Restoration, reflecting her commitment to global outreach.
An avid reader who enjoys delving into literature, Ms. Williams maintains a blog, “TotallyKris.com,” where she shares insights and stories. Looking ahead, she plans to focus more on writing projects that celebrate her family’s legacy and creativity, including publishing a cookbook.
Ms. Williams’s contributions were acknowledged with several accolades, including a Wayne James Award in 2022 and a President’s Award in 2015. She attributes her success to changing perspectives and focusing on future achievements. Ms. Williams’s ability to transform challenges into opportunities has been instrumental in her journey, allowing her to leave a lasting impact on her profession and community.
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