In serving as Director of Advocacy & Outreach at Connections to Success for the past eight years, Napoleon Williams III has successfully designed, implemented, facilitated, and managed job readiness and responsible parenting programs; secured and maintained partnerships with the faith community, businesses, social service providers, criminal justice institutions, and fellow nonprofit agencies, and served in numerous local and regional consortiums aimed at addressing social issues.

Napoleon earned a BS in Urban Studies from Harris-Stowe State University and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Political Science at the University of Missouri-St. Louis.  He plans to utilize his research to better inform the field of social services for the purpose of increasing economic independence for low-income families.

Mr. Williams III was certified as an Offender Workforce Development Specialist by the National Institute of Corrections in 2009.  In 2011, he joined the National Career Development Association and currently serves as a representative for Missouri reentry service providers.  Napoleon has served as Project Manager for several Missouri Department of Corrections Community Reentry grants and currently serves as a Community Partnerships Liaison to the St. Louis City Division of Corrections, and represents Connections to Success in the 6th District Community Police and Community Support Association, and the College Hill Collaborative.

As reentry and child support policy adviser to several state legislators and as a subcommittee member at the St. Louis Alliance for Reentry, Napoleon serves as an advocate for criminal justice and family support reforms that strengthen families and the economy without compromising public safety. Most recently, Napoleon presented on Responsible Fatherhood and Child Support reform at the International Fatherhood Conference in Philadelphia.  Under Napoleon’s direction, Connections to Success’ advocacy efforts have garnered national attention and support.

Napoleon is a 2015 graduate of FOCUS^® Leadership St. Louis.  Between facilitating responsible parenting classes, engaging residents in the community, and building relationships with partners, Mr. Williams III enjoys visiting Jefferson City and Capitol Hill informing state and federal law makers of the most pressing challenges facing the families Connections serves in Missouri, Kansas, and Illinois.