Sandra Sims-Williams

Sandra Sims-Williams joined Nielsen in 2020 and currently serves as Chief Diversity Officer. In this role, Sandra leads Nielsen’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I) strategy and team.

Sandra is a transformational leader with over 30 years of experience linking DE&I strategies with corporate initiatives. With a background in counseling and talent management, coupled with a passion for talent engagement and fairness, Sandra has always seen a career championing diversity, equity and inclusion as a natural fit. Prior to joining Nielsen, Sandra spent 14 years working for a variety of Publicis Groupe agencies where she ultimately made history by becoming Publicis Groupe’s very first Chief Diversity Officer.

As Chief Diversity Officer of Nielsen, Sandra advocates for the success of all talent while overseeing and championing inclusive and equitable practices, the acquisition of diverse talent, the activation of diverse leadership development programs, the support of a global business resource group network, the furthering of our business diversity (supplier diversity) commitments, the pursuit of DE&I thought leadership and all with a sensitivity to making quantifiable impact. A firm believer, in both qualitative and quantitative levers to help drive positive change, Sandra is a high touch leader who believes in and considers herself to be a “servant” leader.

Throughout her career, Sandra has been bestowed with many accolades and awards from across the advertising and media industries and the business community at large. Some of these include being named to the Black Enterprise Top Corporate Executives list, SAVOY Magazine’s Most Influential Women in Corporate America list with added recognitions from Adweek & ADCOLOR. Sandra is also a member of The Advertising Industry’s Diversity Steering Committee and serves on the boards of the Advertising Club of New York and ColorComm. In her spare time, Sandra has also founded Sandra’s Sister Circle which advocates for the advancement of young women of color.

Sandra holds a bachelor of arts degree from Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey and a master of arts degree from Hunter College in New York.