Behind the Impact: How Misha Williams’ economics degree is helping people with learning and thinking differences
January 07, 2026
Learning and thinking differences affect people at every age
They’re lifelong conditions — they don’t just go away. Understood’s grants and relationships manager, Misha Williams, knows this all too well. Her mom had always struggled with reading and comprehension.
It felt like a “dyslexia tax”
Misha’s mom always had to spend extra time and money to make up for her reading and comprehension challenges. It felt like a “dyslexia tax.” For example, she’d pay to have her resume updated. Doing it herself didn’t feel like it would lead to success. And even though there was free tax software, she spent hundreds of dollars on an accountant every year. The tax software’s language was too complicated.
A dyslexia diagnosis was just the beginning
At 45, Misha’s mom was diagnosed with dyslexia. It was a relief to finally know that her brain processed things differently. But her healthcare provider didn’t give her much direction. How was she supposed to use this new knowledge?
From self-conscious to self-sufficient
Misha and her mom looked for solutions, and they found Understood’s free resources. Expert-vetted tools helped Misha’s mom do things that she’d felt self-conscious about her whole life. She felt a new freedom to stop hiding her dyslexia and try things — even if she didn’t always get them right.
Making systemic change
Misha earned a degree in economics with a goal of creating systemic change that would have a positive impact on people’s financial lives. Seeing how Understood’s resources helped her mom, Misha made the leap to join the organization’s fundraising team. She wanted to help Understood reach more people like her mom.
Helping funders make a bigger impact
Misha shows funders how their gifts can support learning and thinking differences, improve society, and contribute to a stronger economy. It has been a significant factor in how Understood has created a surge in grants from organizations that may not have previously considered supporting issues like learning and thinking differences.
Help us help others thrive
Explore our career page for open roles that match your skill set. or Help fund our work so we can continue to provide free access to expert-vetted tools and resources that help people with learning and thinking differences thrive in their daily lives, whether at work, school, or home. Donate to support our mission.
