Carlton Watson is the President & CEO at The Torch Foundation. Drawing on his thirty-five years of experience in the non-profit sector, he provides leadership to guide the organization in operational excellence to achieve its desired strategic results. In partnership with the Board of Directors, Mr. Watson leads the Torch Foundation in implementing policies and best practices that drive equity and inclusion goals as core values within the organizational culture. He is versed in strategic marketing, financial management, business expansion; vendor relations; public relations; human resources, brand management, government contracting, and community engagement. Mr. Watson has an extensive background in senior leadership and executive positions during his human services management career.
He founded a consulting group to provide strategic and organizational development to for-profit and not-for-profit entities ten years ago. Mr. Watson has broad expertise in moving organizations to transform their culture, boost employee engagement, and maintain diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. He actively supports inclusion outcomes to improve employee morale, increase productivity, and encourage professional growth. Additionally, he coaches organizational executives on leveraging the benefits of diversity to achieve a competitive business advantage.
Mr. Watson is results-driven with quality management, continuous improvement, business transformation, and stakeholder management expertise. He is an engaging senior manager adept at promoting racial justice, impartiality, and fairness within institutions.
Mr. Watson holds a Master of Social Work (MSW) in Clinical & Administration from the University of Connecticut. He also has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Assumption College.
Mr. Watson has received many awards and recognitions throughout his career for high performance and community leadership. Some of his recognitions are as follows:
- Seven Hills Charter Public School, Visionary Guidance & Undaunting Leadership, 2012
- Learning First Foundation, Outstanding Leadership, 2012
- YMCA 13th Annual Men's Health, Recognition of Commitment & Dedication to the Well-being of Central Mass, 2011
- State Senate Official Citation, Commendation for Service as President of the Willis Center, 2011
- Certificate of Congressional Recognition, Outstanding & Invaluable Community Service, 2011
- Institute for Global Leadership, Life Leadership Award, 2011
- State Senate Official Citation, Commendation for Nigerian American Organization Leadership Award, 2010
- NASW, Greatest Contribution to Social Work Practice, 2006
Mr. Watson is committed to improving teens' quality of life. He shares with others at the Torch Foundation the importance of supporting teens to discover their best selves. Mr. Watson believes, "teens matter: they are essential to our future; investing in teens creates an ever-widening circle of leaders who will produce extraordinary results for themselves, their families, and the world."
