Sonja Williams, chief human resources officer at Milwaukee-based Wellpoint Care Network, is a transformative leader with more than 25 years of expertise in talent optimization, diversity, equity and inclusion and organizational development, according to Wellpoint president and CEO Ann Leinfelder Grove.
“Since joining Wellpoint Care in 2021, Sonja has led strategic efforts to increase BIPOC representation across the organization. Under her leadership, board representation grew from 21% to 30%, all staff representation rose from 39% to 46%, and supervisory roles increased from 42% to 44%, ensuring that employees and the children and families they serve are reflected throughout the organization,” Grove said.
Last year, Williams restructured Wellpoint’s DEI Leadership Council to broaden representation across departments and teams. The council, which includes employee resource group chairs and individuals from diverse backgrounds, guides action on the organization’s DEI priorities. She also began implementing improvements informed by an organizational culture audit, focusing on updating policies, practices, and outcomes to enhance equity and effectiveness across Wellpoint’s operations and services, according to Grove.
