Dr. Andreya Williams understands something that businesses, cities, and institutions are only beginning to realize: attraction is easy, retention is hard. Whether it’s talent, homeownership, or business growth, success doesn’t just come from getting people in the door—it comes from creating the conditions that make them want to stay.

As the Founder & CEO of Kohere, DR. Williams is pioneering curated connection as a service, helping companies like JP Morgan Chase & Co. and Tulsa Remote design engagement strategies that transform recruitment into long-term community-building. She leverages data-driven insights, in-person activations, and human-centered storytelling to help organizations understand not just who they want to attract—but how to build infrastructure that keeps them invested.

But DR. Williams' work isn’t just happening in corporate boardrooms or government initiatives—it’s happening THROUGH BESPOKE EXPERIENCES. A host and facilitator, she has made curated gatherings a cornerstone of her approach, recognizing that real connection isn’t built through mass outreach—it’s built through intimate, intentional experiences. Through Kohere, she creatES spaces where people don’t just network—they build trust.

A Global Perspective on Community-Building

DR. Williams’ ability to design for mobility is deeply personal. She has built programs across corporate, academic, and military landscapes, always focused on how to create stability in transitional spaces.

She began her career designing youth leadership and development programs for the U.S. Military’s Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) division, living and working in Yokohama, Japan, and Honolulu, Hawaii, including at the famous Pearl Harbor naval base. There, she developed day camps and mentorship programs that provided consistency for children and families navigating frequent moves—an experience that now informs her work in talent retention and place-based economic development.

With a PhD in Educational Leadership & Policy Studies, her research—rooted in Critical Race Theory (CRT)—examines BIPOC retention, mobility, and the role of infrastructure in economic belonging. She advises founders, investors, and organizations through her work with Build in Tulsa, Goldman Sachs, and Techstars, ensuring that businesses and communities don’t just attract talent—they create the conditions that make them stay.

Because at the end of the day, belonging isn’t just about feeling welcome—it’s about building the infrastructure that makes people want to invest, plant roots, and thrive. The companies and cities that invest in belonging today are the ones that will shape the future.