Cornerstone Alliance Welcomes Tiyanna Williams
Cornerstone Alliance Welcomes Tiyanna Williams
As Director Of Housing Advancement
Cornerstone Alliance, Berrien County’s economic development organization, is pleased to welcome Tiyanna Williams as Director of Housing Advancement, solidifying the organization's commitment to address housing as a critical driver of economic opportunity and population growth in the region.
Williams brings more than seven years of experience in housing policy, community development, and equitable systems design, with a career defined by translating research and community input into programs that produce measurable impact.
In her role as a Community Development Fellow with the Community Economic Development Association of Michigan (CEDAM) in the City of Battle Creek, Willams was embedded in City's Planning and Zoning Division to support the development of a Housing Strategy Plan and Master Plan Update. To ensure the plan was grounded in both market research and resident voice, Williams worked alongside the team and consultants to support the community engagement efforts necessary to inform the work. Her contributions spanned community outreach, meeting coordination, research and survey development, and content creation for educational videos on local housing initiatives.
Prior to her fellowship, Williams served as Associate Director of Continuum of Care at United Way South Central Michigan, supporting federal programming which coordinates housing and supportive services to address homelessness across a defined region. Earlier in her career, as Eviction Prevention Program Lead at Community enCompass in Muskegon, she designed and implemented an eviction diversion program that drew statewide recognition, including a visit from the Michigan Supreme Court.
In her role as Director of Housing Advancement, Williams will lead Cornerstone Alliance's efforts to align housing strategy with broader economic development priorities across Berrien County. Her work will focus on strengthening cross-sector partnerships, supporting community-informed policy, and advancing initiatives that expand housing access and stability as a foundation for long-term regional growth. She will work closely with organizational leadership and partners to identify opportunities that connect housing investment to workforce needs, municipal planning, and community development goals.
"When we named housing as a strategic priority for 2026, we made a commitment to Berrien County that this work would be more than a study that sits on a shelf," said Marla Schneider, President and CEO of Cornerstone Alliance. "Tiyanna brings the grounded, hands-on expertise and genuine passion for this work that will help us deliver on that commitment. We are excited to welcome her to the team."
Tiyanna Williams knows firsthand that housing shapes everything else a community is trying to build.
"Housing is not a standalone issue; it is woven into every dimension of a community's health," said Williams. "Berrien County has incredible partners doing this work every day, and I'm excited to join a team that is deeply committed to building on that foundation. I look forward to connecting housing investment to the broader goal of a Berrien County where people can live, work, and thrive, and where opportunity is accessible to everyone who calls it home."
Williams holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Western Michigan University and is currently pursuing a Master of Business Administration with a focus in program management at Cornerstone University, with an expected graduation of May 2027.
Williams' appointment reflects Cornerstone Alliance's ongoing commitment to building organizational capacity in housing advancement and its recognition that stable, accessible housing is essential to sustaining economic growth and expanding opportunity throughout Berrien County.
About Cornerstone Alliance:
Cornerstone Alliance is the economic development organization dedicated to fostering growth and prosperity in Michigan’s Great Southwest. Through strategic initiatives and collaborative partnerships, Cornerstone Alliance drives innovation and opportunity, positioning the region for sustainable economic success. As the leading advocate for the local business and development sector, Cornerstone Alliance delivers tailored business assistance across Berrien County.
