Sheila Williams was appointed as the Chief Deputy of the Los Angeles County Probation Department in April 2024, one of the largest probation services agencies in the United States. In this role, she oversees a budget exceeding $1.2 billion, manages labor relations, and directs administrative and support operations, including the Management Services Bureau, Fleet Operations, and Information Technology. Additionally, she is tasked with ensuring the effective execution of critical departmental priorities, such as maintaining compliance with the Board of State and Community Corrections Title 15 and Title 24 regulations, adhering to the provisions of the Department of Justice Settlement Agreement, and restructuring the Department’s organizational structure to better serve both adult and youth clients, staff, and the Board through a modernized approach.

With over 27 years of experience in county administration, Ms. Williams has established herself as a highly skilled manager and executive professional, excelling in project management and demonstrating keen attention to detail. Her background encompasses management, finance, and budgeting, highlighted by her role as a Senior Manager in the Chief Executive Office’s Budget and Operations Management Branch, where she held administrative and financial oversight for more than 30 County Departments, particularly focusing on Public Safety, such as the Sheriff’s Department, Probation, District Attorney, and Fire.

Ms. Williams has played a pivotal role in several significant County initiatives, including the implementation of the Los Angeles Regional Interoperable Communications System (LA-RICS), aimed at enhancing communication for first responders in the wake of 9/11, and the merger of the Office of Public Safety with the Sheriff’s Department, a complex 17-year project that she successfully navigated to obtain Board approval within a year. Additionally, she was instrumental in the implementation of Public Safety Realignment under Assembly Bill 109 in Los Angeles County. Her leadership has fostered a long-standing commitment to building connections and nurturing positive, inclusive environments that promote both professional and personal development for employees. Ms. Williams values personal relationships and her unwavering belief that “failure is not an option” has been a driving force behind her success in navigating challenging work environments.

Before joining the Probation Department, Ms. Williams served in various roles within the County’s Chief Executive Office, progressing from Principal Analyst to Manager and ultimately to Senior Manager. Prior to her tenure in the CEO’s office, she was the Senior Court Manager for the Administratively Consolidated Municipal Courts (ACMC) in Los Angeles County, a position she held for five years. She played a pivotal role in developing budgets and handling other administrative duties for Compton Municipal Court and five other municipal courts.  The ACMC unified their administration to enhance efficiency in areas such as budgeting, purchasing, collections, personnel, policies, procedures, and caseload management. Throughout her career in the courts, Ms. Williams advanced through several positions, starting as an Administrative Assistant and moving up to Senior Administrative Assistant, Division Chief, and finally, Senior Court Manager.

Ms. Williams is a graduate of the University of California of Berkeley with a bachelor’s degree in political science. She has her master’s degree in public administration from California State University, Long Beach and she also holds a paralegal certificate from the University of California, Los Angeles.