My Story

“We cannot think of being acceptable to others until we have first proven acceptable to ourselves.” ― Malcolm X

Sonja Williams is an accomplished leader with 25 years of talent optimization, inclusion and belonging, and organizational devlopment experience. She leads the delivery of innovative and equitable employee-centered services for Wellpoint Care Network’s workforce. Driven by a desire to support the work of community-based organizations with compelling missions, she has performed impactful work at organizations such as Acelero Learning, the Greater Milwaukee Foundation, American Cancer Society, Milwaukee County and Next Door. Sonja actively serves on the boards of Vision Forward and Triangle of Hope as a volunteer in her efforts to support the Greater Milwaukee community.

Education & Experience

Wellpoint Care employee since 2021. Master’s Degree in Administrative Leadership from University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee, Bachelor’s Degree in Public Administration from University of Wisconsin – Whitewater.

Corey Norlander is the Lieutenant of Criminal Investigations at the Sheboygan County Sheriff’s Office. He is currently in his 30th year in law enforcement, having served as a patrol officer, School Resource Officer, and then detective before becoming a supervisor in the detective group.

His work in sensitive crimes investigations and multi-disciplinary team development has brought him to an unintended recognition and understanding of trauma on victims and responders. In addition to serving in law enforcement, he serves as Co-Chair on the Attorney General’s Sexual Assault Response Team and trains for the Wisconsin Department of Justice and Wellpoint Care Network.

I began my career at Wellpoint Care in 2009. The diversity of the work that I do ensures that no day is like any other. I have the opportunity to lead teams who are focused on supporting the work of our mission — because they understand that ultimately the work we do, whether internally or externally, impacts the families we are here to serve. Wellpoint Care has created an environment that allows me to thrive professionally, while supporting my work-life balance in the various seasons of both my professional and personal life. We are allowed opportunities to be innovative and creative together in how we achieve goals while never losing sight of our mission. It’s encouraging to see the result of the organization listening to feedback by providing space for us to come together as an agency and have conversations around diversity, equity and inclusion, and then be a part of the work towards change.

I am a first-generation Puerto Rican, born in the United States and first in my family to have graduated college and continued on to receive master’s degree. I’m bilingual and fully fluent in Spanish. I oversee the Mentoring Program and am a part many other diversity-related committees. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my loved ones, reading, volunteering and being outside.