Advocacy and lobbying nonprofit Independent Sector (IS) announced its new president and CEO, Akilah Watkins, Ph.D. She currently is president and CEO of the Center for Community Progress, which has operations in Flint, Mich., and Washington, D.C.
The first African American to head IS, she’ll join the organization in January. Watkins replaces Daniel J. Cardinali who announced in January he would step down after leading IS for six years.
“On behalf of the board of directors, we extend a warm welcome to Dr. Watkins,” IS Board Chair Fred Blackwell, president and CEO of the San Francisco Foundation, said via a statement. “Her experiences and expertise make her an ideal leader to build upon Independent Sector’s successes and drive innovation and equity into the heart of how the nonprofit and philanthropic sector builds a healthy and just future for all people.”
Via the same statement, Watkins said, “Through my work at the Center for Community Progress, and in my roots as a community organizer, I know firsthand the challenges that direct-service organizations and their constituents face. I look forward to sharing my expertise to help Independent Sector’s members engage thoughtfully and equitably with their stakeholders.”
Watkins grew up in New York City and went on to earn her Doctor of Philosophy in Sociology from the University of Illinois at Chicago. She has worked with the administration of President Barack Obama, the Center for the Study of Social Policy, NeighborWorks America, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and the Ford Foundation.
Her career’s work has focused on helping people, communities, and local and federal government drive impactful reform for key issues including land banking, property vacancy, childhood obesity, community health, and economic development, according to a statement from IS.
In addition to her work at Community Progress, Watkins serves as president of the board of directors of Grounded Solutions Network, vice-chair of the board of directors of Up for Growth Action, is an executive committee member of the National Housing Conference’s Board of Governors, and a board member for Common Future.
Independent Sector members will have a chance to hear from her at the Annual Business Meeting and Town Hall on October 11.
