Her Story
About Shakela
Shakela K. Williams is a dedicated community health leader and advocate with a career centered on empowering individuals, addressing barriers to care, and improving health outcomes through strategic community partnerships. As a Community Impact Specialist with Wellstar Health System’s Center for Health Equity and Community Health, she develops and implements initiatives that address critical community needs while advancing health equity across the region. Her work focuses on connecting individuals and families with resources that support long-term wellness and strengthen the communities they call home.
With extensive experience spanning healthcare, social services, care management, and social determinants of health, Shakela has held leadership roles with major healthcare organizations including Aetna Better Health, Humana, WellCare Health Plans, and American Health Plans. Throughout her career, she has built collaborative relationships with healthcare providers, nonprofit organizations, community leaders, and government agencies to develop innovative programs that address food insecurity, transportation challenges, housing instability, and other factors that impact overall health. Her expertise in community engagement and outcomes-based partnerships has helped expand access to essential services for underserved populations across Georgia.
Driven by a lifelong passion for advocacy, Shakela believes that health extends far beyond clinical care. She understands that individuals cannot fully focus on managing chronic conditions or preventive care when they are facing immediate challenges such as housing, food access, or financial instability. Through her work, she strives to bridge those gaps by connecting people with the support systems they need to achieve stability, independence, and better health outcomes. Her commitment to service, collaboration, and community empowerment continues to make a meaningful impact throughout the communities she serves.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Shakela
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to influential people in my life - mentors and people from church - but first and foremost, God, my high power, who allows me to continue. It's embedded in me, and I just feel it's my destiny. Some people have it, some people don't. I see myself in others too at times. It could be me. I never think I'm too good to say it couldn't be me. So I just make sure that the resources and knowledge I know - some people will be receptive, some people won't - but I continue to empower others to be the best version of themselves. That is just my destiny. That is my calling, that's what I feel, and I continue to do in my life as long as I'm here. I'm gonna definitely continue to let my light shine. I'm actually working on an LLC, and I came up with the name of Radiant Impact Consulting, because I'm continuing to shine and I want others to shine as well and be that radiant light.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Keep pushing, keep going forward, don't give up, keep shining, regardless of everything that's put before you. Don't let anyone dim your light.
03What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I love traveling, cruising, going to the beach. I love advocating and being supportive and fundraising for my HBCU, Savannah State University. Family time is very important to me. I'm also a caregiver for my father, who has a remarkable story - he is a stage 4 prostate cancer survivor, this is year 11. Last year we almost lost him again. He had a blood clot in his right lung, he was septic, bleeding ulcer, bleeding hernia. He was in the hospital for a month, ICU for a week and a half, nursing home rehab for 2 to 3 months. I brought him home last August and now he's thriving, he's walking again, he's doing so much better - nobody but the grace of our high power being God. I'm the only child, so I help and advocate and make sure he's good. I'm a caregiver, I'm a wife of many years with no children, but a caregiver and a career woman. I'm doing a lot. My dad's a fighter - he's not going nowhere. I'm a daddy's girl, so I'm excited to spend another Father's Day with him.
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