Tobin C. Williamson

Tobin C. Williamson is the Senior Partnerships & Policy Manager with the Refugee Advocacy Lab, housed at Refugees International.

Prior to joining the Lab in March 2024, Williamson served as the Manager of Advocacy & Policy with the Maine Immigrants’ Rights Coalition (“MIRC”). In this position, he directed MIRC’s policy efforts by working with government officials and community partners around Maine in advancing MIRC’s priorities in DC, Augusta, and city halls throughout the state. His advocacy work also included promoting the organization through both traditional media and social media, as well as serving as MIRC’s liaison and leading external relations with advocacy partners.

Previously, Williamson served in two U.S. Congressional Offices and two Consulates General (Japan’s in Seattle and the Czech Republic’s in Chicago). His Congressional experience prioritized constituent services and community outreach, focusing at various times on immigration, foreign policy, and veterans/defense issues. He also spent time as a Congressional intern on Capitol Hill and as an intern with the World Affairs Council of Seattle.

Williamson earned a Master’s Degree in Political Science from the University of North Carolina. As part of UNC’s Transatlantic Masters (TAM) program, he spent semesters abroad at Charles University (Prague, CZ) and the University of Bath (Bath, UK) in addition to his time in Chapel Hill. A native Arkansan, his undergraduate degrees include a B.S. in Geography and a B.A. in International Studies from the University of Central Arkansas.

Outside of work, he serves as a Board Member for the World Affairs Council of Maine and the League of Women Voters / Democracy Maine, is part of the Aspen Institute Strategy Group’s Rising Leaders Program, and was in the 2023 cohort of Leadership Portland. Williamson moved to Maine in 2021 and enjoys exploring all the Pine Tree State has to offer. He lives in Westbrook, ME with his wife Kate, their cat, and their horse. In his spare time, you can find him somewhere on a hiking trail, reading a couple of books, watching soccer, trying new coffee shops, or planning his next international trip(s).