Growing up on a farm in Blakely, Georgia, is where Nicole Williams first felt a love and respect for community. Next door to her grandparents, she and her parents and brother and sister lived on the same land her father was raised as a child.

“We had animals to feed and pet, barns to explore, and creeks for swimming and fishing… We were always surrounded by lots of family and extended family,” says the lover of the outdoors who admittedly craves books and sunshine. “For me, the coolest thing about growing up like that is the sense of place and heritage.”

As Executive Director of the Albany Area Arts Council, Nicole brings her love of community to Albany, where she’s excited to create and offer arts and cultural programming to everyone. Her work experience has made her increasingly passionate about improving the concept people living here have about the quality of life in Albany.

“I love this town, and I am truly blessed to have a job where opportunities to engage and contribute regularly present themselves to me,” she says. She wants to be remembered as someone who made a difference.  “But  it does not have to be grand,” she adds. “If I am remembered for a kindness that I offered, then I will consider that to have been the greatest achievement.”