Lisa Williams-Taylor, Ph.D.
Chief Executive Officer
2300 High Ridge Road
Boynton Beach, FL 33426
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Lisa Williams-Taylor is the Chief Executive Officer of Children’s Services Council of Palm Beach County (CSC), an independent district created by county voters in 1986 and reauthorized in 2014. She has served the Council in this role since 2015 and has been with the Council since 2004. Dr. Williams-Taylor believes that all children deserve the best chance of growing up healthy, safe, ready for school and ready for life, and works hard to ensure that CSC collaborates with partners and the community to serve Palm Beach County’s children and families. Through CSC’s funding to more than 700 local organizations, the results are clear that CSC is making a difference.
Background
Before becoming CEO, Dr. Williams-Taylor was the Chief Program Officer for CSC, responsible for strategic planning and accountability for child outcomes. She created an accountability system to ensure taxpayer dollars were focused on the most effective programs and services, and played a lead role in bringing more than 11 evidence-based programs to the community. Dr. Williams-Taylor has extensive experience working with local, state and national policymakers to build evidence-based systems of care.
Prior to working at CSC, Dr. Williams-Taylor delivered direct services to individuals with mental health needs and spent many years in the research and evaluation field working in the areas of criminal justice, mental health and addiction. She has authored more than 25 publications, including two books.
Dr. Williams-Taylor holds master’s degrees in forensic psychology and criminal justice from John Jay College of Criminal Justice, as well as a doctorate degree in criminal justice from the City University of New York Graduate Center.
Community
Dr. Williams-Taylor is recognized as a leader in the community. She has received numerous awards, including a Lifetime Achievement Award from the School District of Palm Beach County Wellness Promotion Taskforce (2025), Distinguished Award for Special Recognition from the Safety Council of PBC (2025), Community Champion award from Changent (2025), the FAIMH Dr. Will Blechman's President's Award (2023), Lutheran Services Hero award (2022), the Women in Leadership award from Executive Women of the Palm Beaches Foundation (2019), Community Champion award from Prime Time (2018), the Giraffe Award from the Women’s Chamber of Commerce of Palm Beach County (2018), and Outstanding Executive Champion award from United Way of Palm Beach County (2016).
She serves on numerous boards and committees, including the Florida Children’s Alliance of Children’s Councils and Trusts, Florida House of Representatives appointee to the Council for Early Grade Success, United Way of Palm Beach County, the Early Learning Coalition of Palm Beach County, the Palm Beach County Community Alliance, the Hunger Relief Advisory Council, Criminal Justice Commission Behavioral Health Task Force and Birth to 22: United for Brighter Futures Alliance, among many others.
She is a Leadership Palm Beach County alumnus (2017), where she continues to support planning the annual Education Day. She also graduated from Leadership Florida in 2021.
Dr. Williams-Taylor also enjoys giving back to the community directly. Soon after becoming CEO, she established the CSC Gives Back committee, which promotes volunteering locally. You will see her volunteering throughout the community at the Food Bank, at United Way events, reading to children, or filling backpacks for children in the foster care system.
Family
She enjoys spending time with her family – her husband of over 20 years, son and her parents. When not working you will often find her reading, puzzling and crafting. She loves the outdoors and likes biking, hiking and traveling to the beach or the mountains for quick family getaways.
Dr. Williams-Taylor's Research
