Tiffanie L. Williams says she quit her job at a hospital without a concrete plan of what to do next.
A therapist, Williams had founded a nonprofit organization, the Liam Lives Foundation, after the stillbirth of her son. The foundation’s mission is to provide therapy services to families affected by pregnancy and infant losses.
After giving her notice, Williams turned her full attention to the organization and has never looked back.
“I knew that my purpose was to travel and to make an impact throughout the U.S. and the world, and working 9 to 5 was not going to allow me to do that,” she said. “I’m so glad I bet on myself and took that leap, because here I am today operating a thriving practice and I have all the freedom and flexibility in the world to not only be a great private practice therapist but also a great nonprofit leader and a great mom.”
Today, Williams’ work extends to nations like Jamaica and Kenya, where she offers counseling and educational workshops. She authored a memoir, “Worth Fighting For,” and is an advocate for reducing maternal and fetal mortality, especially in the Black community.
She said she draws inspiration from her family and strives to make them proud. But she also inspires herself.
“It takes a lot of strength and grit and commitment and choosing happiness and also choosing purpose to establish a nonprofit like I did,” she said.
Williams said her success stems from an ability to being a good listener and in people finding her easy to talk to. Part of that is due to her training as a therapist, she said, but part comes from within.
“It truly is a gift,” she said. “I can have a conversation just starting out not even knowing you and 30 minutes pass by and you have told me your life story.”
As she moves forward with her organization, Williams said her secret to maintaining an innovative mindset lies in others.
“While I do believe I am a smart woman, I am not the smartest woman,” she said. “I always want to put myself in the rooms of people who are smarter than me.”