Girl Scouts of Virginia Skyline Council announced that William Byrd High School graduate Nikki Williams has been appointed the council’s new CEO. She assumed responsibilities on April 24 and succeeds Jean Ann Hughes, who retired last fall.

“I’m honored and grateful to the Virginia Skyline Girl Scouts Board of Directors for the opportunity to lead this life-changing organization for girls,” said Williams. “Girl Scouts believe in the power of every girl. Our leadership program is designed to help a girl discover who she is, what she can do and connects her with a powerful community of girls and mentors to make it happen. I look forward to supporting the mission of Girl Scouts and continuing to aid in developing incredible future leaders.”

Williams is a Roanoke native and attended William Byrd High School. She was a communications major at Hollins University where she graduated in 1998 with a Bachelor of Arts degree and again in 2013 with her Master of Arts degree in Liberal Studies.

She just completed her Education Specialist degree and is pursuing her Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership where she is studying the learning differences in boys and girls. She has been employed at Hollins University for 13 years and spent 11 years in the Office of Admission. Her most recent role was as executive director of Hollins Alumnae Relations.

Williams is active in the Roanoke Valley community serving on several committees and boards including serving as vice president for the Roanoke Children’s Theatre Board of Directors and a member of the American Cancer Society Leadership Council.