Eli Williamson co-founded Leave No Veteran Behind, an Illinois-based nonprofit focused on employment and education opportunities for veterans. While serving as Executive Director, he implemented educational debt relief and transitional employment programs, workforce skills training, and community service opportunities for veterans transitioning from military to civilian life.
He is the former Director of Veterans Programs for the Robert R. McCormick Foundation, where he led the foundation's place-based grant-making in support of Illinois veterans — with a focus on employment, behavioral health, and navigation of services. Currently, he contributes to the arts as a photo essayist, using street photography and written exposition to uplift the narratives of the Afro-American diaspora and veterans.
Before 2009, Williamson served as a non-commissioned officer in the U.S. Army in both Iraq and Afghanistan. His role as a member of Psychological Operations (PSYOP) and an Arabic linguist involved outreach to foreign civilian communities in support of special operations forces. His transition from the military was marked by service as a retention officer, providing career counseling and transition support to fellow soldiers.
Eli received a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Linguistics from Luther College and a Doctor of Humanities, honoris causa, from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. He serves on the Board of Advisors for TalentoTotal and the Board of Directors for the South Shore Chamber of Commerce.