Christopher Williston is the President and CEO of the Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) and a champion for impactful non-profit organizations. In his role at IBAT, he serves as the leader of six separate organizations – including a foundation (organized under section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue code) and three for-profit subsidiaries.
Williston has been recognized for his knowledge and expertise in leading non-profits associations. He is a Past Chairman of the Texas Society of Association Executives, an organization that also honored him with its Young Professional Leadership Award and Chairman’s Award.
In service of the community, Christopher and his wife, Michelle, founded The Mary Claire Project. Since 2016, the project has assisted hundreds of families in celebrating the lives of their children lost before birth. Williston also serves on the board of directors of a small, classical school in the Austin area.
Christopher came to love the game of golf at a young age, often riding along with his Dad and Grandfather at Austin Country Club. His first lessons were from the great instructor Harvey Pennick, which he hardly appreciated at the time. Christopher played high school golf under the legendary Coach Don Beaver at Anderson High School in Austin, TX, where he watched close friends go on to Collegiate and Professional careers in golf.
Christopher is excited to bring his unique skill set to the Foundation board, to assist in the creation of a lasting organization that serves collegiate golfers for generations to come. He believes that good governance and creative partnerships are the difference between success and failure in any non-profit organization. As a lover of the game of golf, Christopher looks forward to supporting April and the other volunteers to spotlight the accomplishments of collegiate golfers.
He is a graduate proud Horned Frog – a graduate of both TCU and Brite Divinity School at TCU. He and Michelle, live in the Austin area and have six children.
