She was a registered nurse, and has an MBA and a PhD in Labour Relations and Human Resource Management, both from the University of Calgary. She has conducted the majority of her research in the area of return-to-work and disability accommodation. Dr. Williams-Whitt speaks frequently at conferences and has authored a number of peer reviewed journal articles and book chapters on this subject. She sits on the editorial board of the Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation, and is the president of the Canadian Industrial Relations Association. Dr. Williams-Whitt teaches courses in managing employee health, labour relations, employment law, human resource management and workplace diversity. She also holds an appointment with Human Resources and Skills Development Canada as an adjudicator for cases falling under Part III of the Canada Labour Code.