Managing Director

Taysha Williams

Taysha Williams serves as the Managing Director at the Innovation Hub at Research Park. Since 2016, Taysha has supported innovation and entrepreneurship at Texas Tech. She is manages the Innovation Hub, including programming, operations, tenants, and members.  She provides leadership to staff and directs activities and services that benefit students, faculty, community members, and startups engaging with the Hub. Williams strengthens and grows programs, topics, and resources tailored to the needs of emerging and experienced interdisciplinary startup teams, while also helping expand the innovation and entrepreneurship culture in the region.

Taysha is the Director of the Texas Tech Accelerator and manages a mentor program with over 70 industry experts. She also serves as the Executive Director for TUNIE—Texas University Network for Innovation and Entrepreneurship and teaches Social Entrepreneurship in the Texas Tech Honors College. Taysha is an instructor for the NSF I-Corps Program through the NSF I-Corps West Hub, helping research teams and entrepreneurs explore commercial potential and customer discovery. She is an active member of the South Plains Economic Development District (SPEED) board and serves on the Texas Tech Health Sciences Center School of Nursing Advisory Board.

She collaborates with philanthropists, sponsors, and community leaders to bring new programs and initiatives to Texas Tech—including the Social Innovation Challenge supporting social ventures, and the Industry Advancement Technology Accelerator supporting AI, machine learning, advanced manufacturing, and robotics startups. Taysha also works to secure funding sources by engaging donors, building sponsor relationships, and writing grants at the local, state, and federal levels to support innovation initiatives.

Taysha received a bachelor's degree in Sociology with a certification in Organizational Management from the University of North Texas. She earned her master's degree in Public Administration from Texas Tech in December 2021 and has several years of experience in managing nonprofit organizations prior to her role at the Innovation Hub.

Taysha is married to Eric Williams, and she cherishes the time she spends with him, her son Cooper, and her daughter Camdyn.