Second Acts: Helena Williams ’81

In an average month, millions of passengers and thousands of flights pass through New York City’s John F. Kennedy International Airport, making it North America’s busiest international air passenger gateway. All that traffic has challenged the tarmacs and terminals that first opened to great celebration in 1948. Now, excitement has sparked once again with New York Governor Kathy Hochul’s announcement of a major expansion project that promises to transform JFK into a state-of-the-art transportation hub.

Anchoring the update on the airport’s north side will be a new world-class, multi-billion-dollar Terminal 6. It’s an ambitious effort led by JFK Millennium Partners and a redevelopment team that includes Vantage Airport Group, American Triple I, RXR Realty, and JetBlue. At the helm, serving as project executive and chief executive officer, is Helena Williams, who brings a wealth of experience in high-level public transportation and public service to the job.

“I’m very excited to be part of the transformation of JFK under Governor Hochul’s leadership, and in partnership with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey,” Williams says. “The Port Authority’s total investment of over $18 billion will guarantee JFK its place as a premier U.S. airport and international travel portal. That investment includes nearly $4 billion for the new Terminal 6, which will have 10 new gates and 100,000 square feet of bright and airy commercial dining, retail, lounge, and recreational spaces.”

The project, which is slated to start later in 2022, taps a vast knowledge of city infrastructure and wide range of leadership skills that Williams has honed along her professional path. After graduating from St. John’s Law, she worked in New York City government before starting at the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. During a 20-year career there, Williams guided operations and initiatives as president of MTA Long Island Bus and, later, as president of the Long Island Railroad, among other key positions. She also pivoted from her MTA career twice to take on Nassau County government executive roles.

Reflecting on these diverse experiences, Williams sees a common thread. “What connects these lines of work for me is service to the public,” she says. “In transportation, the goal is to provide safe, reliable service that gets people where they want to go. Government has a similar duty and standard of performance. The public wants safe communities, clean water, repaired roads, emergency services, beautiful parks and beaches, access to healthcare, and good schools. So there’s a real symmetry.”

As the new Terminal 6 project prepares to break ground, Williams sees so much to look forward to. “New York is a great city, and great cities need great airports,” she shares. “JFK will retain its renowned place with new airport facilities and funding that creates jobs and economic impact, local business opportunities, and a commitment to minority and women’s business development and growth. It’s an honor to be part of this transformation, and to help make JFK a place of excellence and a point of pride for all New Yorkers.”