Biography

---

Taryn Mackenzie Williams is a national expert on disability employment policy. She most recently served as Assistant Secretary of Labor for Disability Employment Policy, leading the Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP). In this role, she worked with employers and government leaders at all levels to advance evidence-based policies that enhance employment opportunities and outcomes for people with disabilities. Her key priorities included promoting competitive integrated employment, ensuring the inclusive use of artificial intelligence in recruitment and hiring, and improving employment outcomes for jobseekers and employees with mental health conditions. Previously, Williams was managing director of the Poverty to Prosperity Program at American Progress, where she focused on a wide range of anti-poverty policies. Before that, she worked at ODEP in a variety of roles including as Chief of Staff and Director of Youth Policy. Williams also completed year long assignments outside of ODEP, including associate director for public engagement and liaison to the disability community at the White House during the Obama administration, and policy adviser for the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions under the leadership of Senator Tom Harkin. She holds a bachelor’s degree in public policy from Brown University and a master’s degree in education, specializing in administration, planning, and social policy, from Harvard University. Williams resides in Washington, DC.