Kelly Williamson

Kelly Williamson is president of APCO Worldwide’s North America region. She specializes in building and protecting reputation by developing corporate, public affairs and issues management programs. She was recently named a Champion in the 2018 PRWeek Hall of Femme, and a 2018 Top Women in PR by PR News.

While truly global in her outlook and client work, Ms. Williamson has also had enormous impact in the local North Carolina market. After founding APCO’s Raleigh office, she developed it into a rapidly growing team of talented communications practitioners. She is also the youngest female member of APCO’s Global Leadership Team, where she is responsible for the company’s Key Client Initiative, which focuses on creating a targeted approach to client leadership for top clients. Her 20 year tenure at APCO features career highlights that range across diverse industry sectors and regions, from leading a global multi-million dollar technology account across more than 40 geographies to building a coalition of local nonprofits in North Carolina and successfully advocating for them to retain their tax-exempt status throughout multiple legislative sessions.

Ms. Williamson is currently an adjunct professor at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill in the Media and Journalism School. Prior to joining APCO, she served as a financial management consultant for the Principal Financial Group. She holds her Bachelor of Science in communication with a concentration in public relations and business from James Madison University.