We recently had the chance to connect with Lora D. Williams RN-BSN and have shared our conversation below.
Good morning Lora D. , it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? Are you walking a path—or wandering?
I’m walking a path that God has set before me. There were times I thought I was wandering, but in hindsight, those moments taught me trust and dependence. My steps are guided by prayer, purpose, and a desire to serve others through what I do. Every season has meaning, even when it feels uncertain.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Lora Williams, and I’m the founder of Williams Career School of Excellence and Treasured Protégé, a nonprofit dedicated to providing housing, education, and mentorship for youth aging out of foster care. My journey began as a Certified Nursing Assistant, which gave me a deep respect for the healthcare field and inspired me to build programs that empower others to succeed through education and opportunity.
At Williams Career School of Excellence, we offer accelerated healthcare and trade programs designed to fit real life helping students, especially women, young adults, and working parents, gain practical skills that lead to stability and confidence. Through Treasured Protégé, we take that mission a step further helping youth heal from past trauma, discover purpose, and transition successfully into adulthood.
What makes my work special is that it’s deeply personal. I know what it’s like to start over and to need a second chance. Every program, class, and mentorship opportunity we create is rooted in the belief that your past doesn’t define your future it prepares you for purpose. Right now, I’m focused on expanding our healthcare and leadership pathways, strengthening our transitional housing program, and building community partnerships that bridge education with real-world opportunity.
At the heart of everything I do is a simple truth: when people are given the tools, faith, and support they need, they don’t just survive they thrive.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
As a child, I believed that my circumstances defined me. Growing up in difficult environments and facing challenges early in life, I thought that where I came from determined how far I could go. But as my relationship with God grew, I realized that He had a purpose for every part of my story.
What I once saw as limitation, God used as preparation. He showed me that my identity isn’t rooted in my past it’s rooted in Him. I no longer see myself as the product of what happened to me, but as a reflection of His grace and redemption. That truth has completely transformed the way I live, lead, and serve others.
What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
The defining wounds of my life came from rejection, abandonment, and the deep pain of feeling unseen. Those experiences left scars that shaped how I viewed myself and others for many years. I tried to fix those wounds on my own through achievement, independence, and strength but nothing truly brought healing until I encountered the love of Jesus.
It wasn’t instant; it was a process of surrender. Jesus met me in the broken places I tried to hide and began to show me who I was through His eyes chosen, loved, and redeemed. His Word became the mirror that replaced the lies I believed about my worth. Healing came not from striving, but from resting in His presence and allowing His truth to rewrite my story.
Every scar now serves as a testimony of His grace. The same wounds that once brought shame have become the very places He uses to reach others. Jesus didn’t just heal me; He gave purpose to my pain.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
I’m committed to the belief that transformation through Christ can change the trajectory of a life no matter where it begins. That conviction fuels everything I do through Williams Career School of Excellence and Treasured Protégé. I’ve seen what happens when people encounter both opportunity and the love of God broken stories become testimonies, and hopelessness turns into purpose.
Whether it’s building programs that equip youth aging out of foster care, expanding transitional housing, or mentoring women in leadership and faith, I’m committed for the long haul. This isn’t a project; it’s a calling. I know God’s timing is perfect, and even if it takes years to see the full vision unfold, I’ll keep showing up because every seed planted in faith produces fruit in its season.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
I’m doing what I was born to do, but it took years of unlearning what I was told to do to get here. For along time, I followed expectations what survival required, what others thought was “safe,” or what seemed logical. But when I surrendered my plans to God, He began to reveal His purpose for my life.
Everything I’ve walked through pain, loss, restoration wasn’t random. It was preparation. I now understand that I was born to build spaces of healing, education, and transformation where others can encounter the same hope I found in Jesus. I’m not just doing work; I’m walking in a calling. And that makes all the difference.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mywcse.com
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lora-williams-bsn-rn-founder-0b6ab05/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mywcse/
