Will Jones Leader

Leadership Philosophies

Leaders are hungry to learn.

Learning is vital for self-development and leadership growth.

Before you can teach and coach others, you must be intentional about learning and be coachable yourself.

Build strong relationships with your reports – people follow leaders they like, trust, and believe in
Put your people first, communicate a clear vision, and trust your team to follow through
Own your mistakes and learn from them
Self-care is key to neutralizing leadership burnout – prioritize your health as part of your job description because you can’t lead without it
Listen to others with empathy – take feedback to heart

Leading with Purpose to Transform Lives and Empower Communities

Will’s mission is to transform lives and communities through evidence-based and trauma-informed practices that empower children and families to thrive. Leveraging credentials from Harvard Business School and an extensive network of partners and stakeholders, he has guided Thompson’s notable growth and expansion.

Oversee strategic direction, operations, and performance
Optimize THOMPSON’s $40M+ annual budget to best serve over 10,000 clients
Lead a team of dedicated professionals who share his commitment to excellence, collaboration, and impact

Keys to Growth

Achieving growth as a non-profit starts with adopting the same mindset leveraged by successful for-profit organizations. While a nonprofit’s goal is to change lives, not make money, maximum impact can only be accomplished with a strong financial position.

Scale is a necessity, not a luxury
Do more good by operating at the highest level of organizational excellence
Hire carefully and invest heavily in training a rock-star team
Build a circle of capable senior leaders that challenge and push the CEO
Put in the work and be patient – growth will come
Communicate your vision and strategy across your organization

Will’s Why

My journey through personal experiences and the challenges I've faced has been shaped by the unwavering support system around me. This foundation fuels my passion to help younger generations, knowing that with the right guidance and support, they can overcome the growing challenges in today’s world and thrive in their own paths.

Thompson President & CEO  Will Jones

Bringing three decades of experience in human services, Will Jones has led Thompson as President & CEO since April 2017. Under his leadership, the organization has experienced transformative growth five times over. Today, Thompson is the largest provider of youth and family services in the Charlotte area while expanding its reach across the Carolinas and into Florida.

Will is a passionate, visionary leader with ambitions to scale Thompson’s influence to serve even more children and families in need.

Leadership Philosophies

Leading with Purpose to Transform Lives and Empower Communities

Keys to Growth

Will’s Why

Thompson President & CEO Will Jones

Thompson President & CEO  Will Jones