Tim Williamson is the co-founder and CEO of The Idea Village, a private, independent 501(c) (3) non-profit organization founded in 2000 with a mission to identify, support, and retain entrepreneurial talent in New Orleans. An entrepreneur by trade and training, Williamson has successfully started and operated five entrepreneurial ventures in four different cities, and has been a steadfast advocate for making New Orleans a vibrant entrepreneurial community. Williamson is a frequent speaker on innovation and entrepreneurship. He is a graduate of Stanford University’s executive program for non-profit leaders, New Orleans Regional Leadership Institute, and the Council for a Better Louisiana’s leadership program. He was honored as a member of New Orleans CityBusiness magazine’s Power Generation in 1999; was among Gambit Weekly’s 40 under 40 in 2004; and was named a Young Leadership Council role model in 2009. Williamson also received the Junior Achievement Rising Star award, and a “Heroes of the Storm” award in 2008.