KATE WILLIAMS
Chicago,IL
Summary
Chief of Staff to the CEO
Results-driven professional, prepared to bring extensive experience in managing executive operations and driving strategic initiatives. Focused on fostering collaborative environment and ensuring alignment with organizational goals. Reliable in adapting to dynamic needs and skilled in project management and communication.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Vice President of Sacred Music
GIA Publications, Inc.
Chicago, IL
01.2018 - Current
- Acted as a force multiplier for senior leadership, driving alignment across editorial, product, and marketing to advance mission-driven initiatives with clarity and focus.
- Partnered closely with executive leadership on priority initiatives, supporting strategic planning, synthesizing inputs, and ensuring follow-through on key decisions and action items.
- Took cross-functional initiatives, owning execution from idea through launch—coordinating stakeholders, removing roadblocks, and maintaining momentum.
- Built and refined team operating rhythms (planning cycles, editorial calendars, workflows) to increase transparency, accountability, and speed across high-impact projects. Managed a team of 30 editors, engravers, and designers.
- Served as a trusted partner to authors, composers, and collaborators, shaping communication and translating creative vision into meaningful, faith-centered content.
- Synthesized audience needs, faith-based trends, and community insights into actionable recommendations that informed content strategy and deepened engagement.
Assistant Senior Editor
GIA Publications, Inc.
Chicago, IL
09.2016 - 01.2018
- Served as a core member of the editorial team at the service of the Senior Editor, leading manuscript review, editorial assessments, and proofreading processes to ensure high-quality, mission-aligned publications.
- Partnered with composers and authors to develop new products and resources, managing relationships and guiding projects from concept through publication.
- Built and streamlined editorial workflows, including content calendars, style guides, and production processes, to improve efficiency and ensure timely delivery. Streamlined staff to save $200K in redundancies.
- Synthesized industry trends and community needs in liturgical music to inform content development and shape future resource offerings.
- Collaborated cross-functionally with designers and marketing teams to align content, visuals, and messaging across print and digital platforms.
- Represented the organization externally through conferences, workshops, and publications, while supporting revenue-generating initiatives such as advertising and product positioning.
Director of Music and Liturgy
Saint Nicholas Church
Evanston, IL
10.2008 - 08.2016
- Responsible for the formation, training, and scheduling of music ministers, including cantors, instrumentalists, English Choir, Spanish Choir, Children’s Choir, and various ensembles for liturgy
- Music and liturgy planning for weddings and funerals
- Music planner/coordinator, pianist for weekend liturgies, holy days, frequent evening prayer services, ministry formation opportunities, and school liturgies with Pope John XXIII Elementary School
- Responsible for care, formation, and scheduling of ecclesial ministers, inventory upkeep, coordinating facilities, prayer writing/facilitating, and hospitality for all visiting priests
Central Music Staff
Office for Divine Worship
Chicago, IL
01.2010 - 01.2014
- Responsible for attendance at monthly meetings to voice input and advice on upcoming diocesan events for music ministers, as well as strategize ways to successfully implement the changes to English translation of the revised Roman Missal (Advent 2011)
- Served as co-chair of the Teen Choir Fest (April 2012)
- Resource as cantor, soloist, pianist, director, educator, and recruiter for diocesan-wide liturgies
Associate for Contemporary Music
Saint Clement Church
Chicago, IL
08.2007 - 08.2010
- Responsible for direction, vocal coaching, and coordination of musicians for: Chapel Choir, Seraphim (Young Adult) Choir, Teen Ensemble, Jubilate Boys and Girls Choir
- Responsible for music planning and weekly worship aids
- Responsible for music planning and worship aid for monthly All School Mass, in coordination with Saint Clement School
- In-residence musician responsible for attendance at weekly liturgy meetings, bi-monthly staff meetings, occasional bulletin reflections, and additional ritual planning/execution
Interim Music Director
Loyola University
Chicago, IL
01.2007 - 07.2007
- Responsible for directing the campus ministries choir, rehearsing and vocal coaching of cantors, collaboration with the liturgist for weekly Mass, as well as Triduum celebrations
Education
M.A. - Liturgical Ministry
Catholic Theological Union
Chicago, IL05-2016
B.M. - Music Composition
DePaul University
Chicago, IL06-2008
Skills
- Executive Support & Strategic Execution: Strategic planning, decision-making, and driving priorities from concept through completion
- Cross-Functional Leadership: Leading initiatives across creative, editorial, and business teams; aligning stakeholders toward shared goals
- Communication & Storytelling: Executive-level written and verbal communication; presentation development; published thought leadership
- Operational Excellence: Workflow optimization, editorial systems, and process improvement to increase speed and clarity
- Relationship Management: Building and maintaining trusted partnerships with creators, stakeholders, and external partners
Core Skills
- Problem Solving & Judgment: Critical thinking, risk assessment, and navigating ambiguity in fast-moving environments
- Team Leadership & Development: Coaching, mentoring, and fostering high-performing, collaborative teams
- Content & Creative Development: Composer/arranger; published writer; experience producing and shaping mission-driven content
- Public Presence: Conference speaking, workshops, and external representation
- Technical Tools: Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Finale, digital content platforms, research tools; Mac & PC proficient
Additional Strengths
Accomplishments
- Author and Project Editor of “Of Womb and Tomb: Prayer in Time of Infertility, Miscarriage, and Stillbirth,” published by GIA Publications, Inc. in 2019.
- Co-Editor of "The Fire This Time: A Black Catholic Sourcebook," Published by GIA Publications, Inc. in 2023.
- Lead Editor of Gather–Fourth Edition, the most recent edition of the flagship, hardbound hymnal serving millions of Catholics across the United States.
- Composer of the music collection, "Bless What Is Breaking: Songs and Blessings by Kate Williams," released by GIA Publications in May of 2025.
- Author of "Wild Goose and Brother Bear Sing the Psalms: Psalm 23," the first of a series of books for children 0-4, released in 2025.
Certification
- Certificate in Structure and Function of Argument: Introduction to Critical Thinking, HarvardX
- VIRTUS, Protecting God's Children for Adults, Certified and current since 2005
Languages
Spanish
Limited Working
Timeline
Vice President of Sacred Music
GIA Publications, Inc.
01.2018 - Current
Assistant Senior Editor
GIA Publications, Inc.
09.2016 - 01.2018
Central Music Staff
Office for Divine Worship
01.2010 - 01.2014
Director of Music and Liturgy
Saint Nicholas Church
10.2008 - 08.2016
Associate for Contemporary Music
Saint Clement Church
08.2007 - 08.2010
Interim Music Director
Loyola University
01.2007 - 07.2007
B.M. - Music Composition
DePaul University
M.A. - Liturgical Ministry
Catholic Theological Union
Engagements
Institute of Sacred Music, Yale Congregations Project Summer Seminar, 2014
Christian Congregational Music Conference Keynote Speaker, Ripon College, Oxford, England, 2025