Willies is a Rural Development Graduate with the University of Malawi (Lilongwe University of Agriculture and National Resources). Currently Willies is studying at NUI Galway, and specializes in Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security. Willies has worked with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security in Malawi as an Extension Services Officer, and has also worked extensively with Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) such as; Evangelical Association of Malawi, Plan International, Concern Universal, and has been involved in the United Nations Millennium Villages Project at Gumulira Cluster in Malawi, working with communities on the Millennium Development Goals.

Willies is interested in innovative programmes that empower the local people, communities and institutions with knowledge and skills on how they can effectively and practically deal with the effects of climate change on livelihoods and the environment.