About
About
Will Waller sustained a gang-related gunshot wound on the hardened streets of Chicago when he was 18. The result was a spinal cord injury, a wheelchair and severe depression. Though the news that he would never walk again was devastating, his disability journey and eventually the sport of wheelchair basketball would reveal Will’s potential.
This change would fuel a drive to pursue goals he once thought impossible. Since that fateful night of May 23, 1992, he has developed into a leader in the world of business, led Team USA to the podium as Captain at The Paralympic Games, and he’s become a sought after voice for his motivating messages that transcend setting.
Relatable, reliable and real … Will is naturally able to move people. He has received high praise for his messages on adapting to change, leadership and culture. Most importantly, he evokes a sense of self-confidence and belief, leaving people feeling like they, too, can take on the world no matter where they started.
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Prior to his current role as CEO of the National Wheelchair Basketball Association (NWBA), Will accumulated nearly 20 years of Human Resources experience with 3 Fortune 150 global organizations: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, Whirlpool Corporation and Honeywell International.
Throughout his career, Will has consistently been tapped to lead complex assignments, and support senior leadership in driving culture change. This required the ability to work (and get teams to work) across functions, geographies and different levels of the organization. When not driving large scale change initiatives, senior leaders and employees regularly sought Will out for coaching on how to navigate the people side of business, including their own careers. His direct and honest style, which is often missing in the Corporate environment, would become known as “Keepin’ It Will”.
Will’s business experience and his journey in the sport of wheelchair basketball have prepared him to lead the NWBA through the Pandemic and pursue the organization’s strategic priorities. In under 2 years, significant progress has been made in improving the financial position of the NWBA, enhancing Governance, and building the capabilities of its 225 field programs and 3,000 members
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Will Waller was introduced to the sport of Wheelchair Basketball in 1994, 2 years after suffering a debilitating gun-shot wound. He competed in his first season at the same time that he began Junior College in Chicago. That Fall, he was approached by the then head coach of University of Illinois, Brad Hedrick. Coach Hedrick was also the Head Coach of USA Men’s Paralympic Team. Hedrick convinced him that he could one-day attend U of I, and helped him understand the admissions process.
After two stints in Junior College (Chicago and Champaign), Illinois admitted Will in January of 1996. While earning a Bachelor’s in Psychology and a Master’s in HR at Illinois, he earned 2 National Championships as Team Captain of the Fightin’ Illini. In 1997, he was invited to attend Trials for the 1998 Team USA World Championship Team. Will would go on to be a member of 2 Gold Medal World Championship Teams (1998 and 2002). He was also named to the “All World” (Top 5) Team for his performance in 2002 Worlds. He was also an integral member of the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Team, which earned a Bronze Medal in exhilarating fashion.
A move to Akron, Ohio in 2008 to join The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company would get Will back into the game after taking several years off to start a family. In 2009, he joined the Cleveland Wheelchair Cavaliers, and in 2010 delivered them their first National Title. During this stretch, Will rejoined Team USA as a Co-Captain of the squad that earned a Bronze Medal at the 2010 World Championships. Subsequently, he helped Team USA get back on the Paralympic Podium in London 2012, earning a Bronze Medal. This was the first Paralympic Medal since The Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games.
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Will has had an unlikely path to success. It is precisely because of his journey, and his awareness of how many people motivated and supported him, that he is passionate about supporting others as they pursue success, however they define it.
He leverages his story, his comfort in speaking to and connecting with people, and his leadership skills to have that impact. Through his experiences in the business world and as a member of Team USA, Will has been able to build and refine his leadership skills, which he consistently puts to use in the community. Will has been a role model as it relates to giving back. He always finds time to invest in at risk youth and people with disabilities on how to turn their adversity into an advantage.
In 2018, Will chose to exit a senior level Corporate career path to lead The National Wheelchair Basketball Association as CEO. This move brings him full circle, considering the sport is what fueled his own transformation. Through this change, he’s been able to align his purpose, passion and career. As they say, “If you do what you love, you’ll never have to work a a day in your life.” Helping people discover that they have potential and motivating them to maximize it is not work at all.
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1 Comment
Michael Gleissner · March 19, 2022 at 3:36 pm
Hi Will, it has been a very long time. Not sure if you remember me from Honeywell in South Bend. I was going thru some pics today and found the ones you gave me of you wearing #9 jersey for team U.S.A. I see you have done well for yourself so congrats to you. I will have been retired the end of this month for 6 years and 40 years of service at Honeywell. I am doing pretty well but old age is creeping up on me. I just wanted to say hi, and appreciated all you did for me, otherwise I may not have made my 40 years. Who knows, God Bless you. Sincerely Mike