About Tia A. Williams

Principal Systems-Thinking Architect

Tia A. Williams is a systems-thinking executive and independent advisor with 28 years of experience spanning federal IT infrastructure, datacenter operations, cloud architecture, technical education, EdTech SaaS, and executive leadership. She is the creator of The Leadership Equation™ and the Inbound Authority System™, and the author of Born A Statistic. Built To Be A Leader.

Her career is defined by a non-linear path that began in technical engineering and progressed through instructor, director, vice president, and senior vice president roles at organizations including Linux Academy, A Cloud Guru, Pluralsight, and Corporate Finance Institute.

Career History

ABriYah dba Solo Business Advisor and The Leadership Equation

Principal Systems-Thinking Architect | 2024 to present

Independent advisory practice helping senior consultants build inbound authority in AI search and helping executives and organizations build high-performing teams using The Leadership Equation™ framework.

Corporate Finance Institute

SVP, Content Operations | 2023 to 2024

Led content strategy and operations for a VC-backed EdTech finance SaaS company, managing a team of 45 and functioning as Interim CCO.

Pluralsight

VP, Cloud Content Business Unit | 2021 to 2023

Promoted to VP as part of the $2 billion acquisition of A Cloud Guru by Pluralsight. Led the unified Cloud Content Business Unit with a globally distributed team of 100 employees.

A Cloud Guru | Director | 2019 to 2021

Promoted to Director as part of the acquisition of Linux Academy by A Cloud Guru.

Led a team of 50 Training Architects, architected content strategy for the world's largest cloud training library, and led the integration of the global cloud content team following the acquisition.

Linux Academy

Training Architect | 2018 to 2019

Authored AWS Essentials, AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner, and AWS Advanced Networking Specialty courses. Linux Academy was acquired by A Cloud Guru in 2019.

Fast Lane US

Global Technical Instructor and Course Developer | 2010 to 2018

Delivered advanced infrastructure training globally as a NetApp Certified Instructor. Developed the first version of the NetApp and Cisco FlexPod training curriculum. Taught private and government sector organizations, including:

Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, VA San Diego Healthcare Systems, CenturyLink, SAIC, FAA, Invesco, Truist, US Army, IBM, CDW, Homeland Security, Liberty University, L-3 Communications, Albuquerque Public Schools, WVNET, Union Bank, 3M, NetApp, Cisco, Accenture, Walmart, Maryland Procurement Office, Boehringer Ingelheim, Qualcomm, University of Michigan, and Softlayer.

ABriYah Internet Services

Founder and Chief Operating Officer | 2005 to 2009

Founded and operated a managed compute, web hosting, and website design services company. Led integration through two acquisitions and achieved a 30% operational cost reduction.

Zen Technologies

Technical Area Manager | 2003 to 2005

Led a team of 60 technical specialists across desktop automation, networking, and server infrastructure for the Missile Defense Agency contract.

CMS Information Services | IT Engineer and Technical Area Manager | 1998 to 2003

Engineered technical solutions for Fairfax County Public Schools, Fairfax County Government, and federal government contracts.

Books

Born a Statistic. Built to Be a Leader: Beyond EQ:The Results-Driven System for Modern Leadership Amazon

Podcast Guest Appearances

Biz Blend | The Leadership Equation: Why EQ Alone Isn't Enough for Modern Leadership Apple Podcasts

Abstract Essay Season 5 | Leadership and The Leadership Equation™ Apple Podcasts

The Chi Quita Mac Podcast | Defying the Odds: Loss, Leadership, and Mentorship YouTube

Book 101 Review Season 5 | Featured Guest YouTube

Famous Interviews with Joe Dimino | Creator of The Leadership Equation YouTube

Frauvaus | Interview with Tia Williams, AWS Training Architect Apple Podcast

Speaking and Institutional Appearances

A Cloud Guru International Women's Day 2020 | Keynote: From Humble Beginnings to Leading in the Cloud Vimeo

Pluralsight Revenue Kick-Off 2023 | Mainstage Keynote, Atlanta Georgia. Delivered to approximately 1,000 attendees in her role as VP, Cloud Content Business Unit.

Association for Talent Development | Top 5 Trends Disrupting the Future of Learning Co-presented with Scott Powell, Co-Founder and Board Member, Corporate Finance Institute. ATD

Corporate Finance Institute | Creating High-Impact Learning and Development Programs in a Hybrid World Co-presented with Anna Talerico, CEO, Corporate Finance Institute. Corporate Finance Institute