PNC Bank announced today the appointment of Cristel Williams as vice president and director of Client and Community Relations of its Georgia market.

In this role, Williams will help lead brand building activities, business development, philanthropic initiatives and community engagement efforts across the state. Additionally, she is responsible for developing relationships with community organizations that align with the bank's corporate values and focus on the regional impact of the bank’s $88 Billion Community Benefits Plan. She succeeds 14-year PNC veteran, Erica Dechicchis, who was promoted to senior vice president and market managing director for PNC Institutional Asset Management in the Georgia and North Florida markets.

“We are thrilled to welcome Cristel as the next client and community relations director in Georgia, and grateful to Erica for the role she played in establishing the PNC brand throughout the market over the past decade,” said Eddie Meyers, PNC regional president for Georgia. “Cristel’s impressive career and keen understanding of Atlanta makes her the ideal leader to usher in the next era of community, business and philanthropic initiatives for the market.”

Williams comes to PNC from the Westside Future Fund where she served as the chief development officer. In that role, she led strategic initiatives and partnerships to raise more than $40 million for affordable housing and cradle-to-career education. Williams has also held senior-level roles at Sheltering Arms, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Foundation, Augusta University and United Way of Greater Atlanta.

She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications from Howard University. She is an alumnus of Leadership Clayton and Leadership Henry. She was named an Atlanta Business Chronicle“40 Under 40” award recipient and received the Corporate Volunteer Council of Atlanta's “Volunteer of the Year Award.” Williams also serves on the Amana Academy Charter Schools board of directors.