Danielle DeRuiter-Williams, is an accomplished leader in the field of equity, diversity, and inclusion and policy. Danielle's work is grounded in her core values of authenticity, innovation, and justice, which she brings to every aspect of her work. She has recently joined as a Partner, DEI + Talent at Promise54 after completing her tenure at the Urban Institute where she stewarded racial equity and diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts within the Research to Action Lab. While at Urban, Danielle also led the Hilton Foundation Funded Housing Justice project, Gates Funded Equity Clearinghouse project, and led the analysis of 2022’s Federal Equity Action Plans.

Before her role at Urban, Danielle co-founded a Bay Area-based consulting firm, The Justice Collective, that specialized in equity-centered organizational development services, addressing organizational culture, processes, and policies to achieve equitable outcomes. In this role Danielle served over 80 organizations at various stages of their equity journeys. Notable projects include her work on the San Francisco Giants Mission Rock Development project, SF Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community Economic Development, SPUR’s equity, diversity, and inclusion strategy, San Diego’s Planning Department equity learning, as well as a year long training series with California Council of Governments.

Danielle's background in Urban Planning and policy led her to initiate and manage the City of San Francisco Urban Planning Department's Racial and Social Equity Initiative which precipitated the establishment of the Office of Racial Equity in San Francisco.Danielle holds a BA in liberal studies from Grand Valley State University and completed her graduate studies in urban and regional planning and Afro-American studies at the University of California, Los Angeles. She further earned her MBA from Mills College, where she concentrated on organizational development with an equity, diversity, and inclusion lens. Danielle is a gifted facilitator, strategist, and coach with a depth of subject matter expertise in community development, planning, policy and government.