Sonja Williams-Richardson

Director, YAI Knowledge

Sonja Williams-Richardson first joined YAI as a Direct Support Professional 29 years ago and worked her way up through various leadership roles in the Clinical and Family Services department before joining YAI Knowledge as Director in 2018. She oversees training and staff development for YAI staff and external organizations. In her role, she ensures all agency staff receive quality training that helps support YAI's mission. Sonja is committed to making sure the organization's brand and reputation for providing quality services and training are upheld by building relationships with other provider organizations in the intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) field. As a mother of a child with I/DD, she understands firsthand the needs of the community and hopes to inspire and empower staff through her work at YAI. She holds a bachelor's degree in education from SUNY Old Westbury.