Senior Vice President of Community Impact
Katrina Watson
Katrina Watson serves as the Senior Vice President of Community Impact at United Way of Central Alabama (UWCA). In this role, she oversees the distribution of approximately $30 million annually to organizations across United Way’s six-county footprint. Katrina leads UWCA’s strategic, place-based efforts and its collective impact strategy.
Prior to joining UWCA, Katrina spent 10 years at United Way partner agencies, including five years as President and Executive Director of The Literacy Council of Central Alabama. Her leadership there resulted in significant growth in revenue and staff as well as the introduction of innovative workforce and digital literacy programs, earning the organization the Birmingham Business Journal’s 2018 Nonprofit Award.
Katrina’s career also includes roles such as Director of Development and Communications at Oasis Counseling for Women and Children and various positions at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, including Major Gifts Officer and Director of Marketing.
Katrina holds a bachelor’s degree from Washington University in St. Louis, a Master of Public Administration from UAB and a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Regent University. She is a Certified Fund Raising Executive and a National Certified Counselor.
Katrina is actively involved in the community, serving on the board of Momentum and as a member of the Rotary Club of Birmingham. She is a graduate of Momentum’s Executive Leaders Program, Alabama Leadership Initiative and Leadership Birmingham. Additionally, she has held leadership positions with the UAB MPA Alumni Society, Children’s Policy Cooperative of Jefferson County, Birmingham Public Library and Birmingham Change Fund. Nationally, she contributed to the Barbara Bush Foundation’s Equity & Access National Working Group, helping to create the National Action Plan for Adult Literacy.
Her accolades include being named a Rising Star by UAB’s National Alumni Society, receiving the UAB MPA Alumni Society’s Sam Gaston Excellence in Mentoring Award and being recognized as a Top Influencer Under 40 by Birmingham Magazine. The Birmingham Business Journal has honored her as a Top 40 Under 40, Who’s Who in Workforce Development, Who’s Who in Nonprofits, an Executive of Influence and a Woman to Watch.
Katrina is a dedicated United Way donor and a member of the J. Mason Davis Leadership Society. She and her husband have been married for more than a decade and have two delightful children.
Katrina Watson serves as the Senior Vice President of Community Impact at United Way of Central Alabama (UWCA). In this role, she oversees the distribution of approximately $30 million annually to organizations across United Way’s six-county footprint. Katrina leads UWCA’s strategic, place-based efforts and its collective impact strategy.
Prior to joining UWCA, Katrina spent 10 years at United Way partner agencies, including five years as President and Executive Director of The Literacy Council of Central Alabama. Her leadership there resulted in significant growth in revenue and staff as well as the introduction of innovative workforce and digital literacy programs, earning the organization the Birmingham Business Journal’s 2018 Nonprofit Award.
Katrina’s career also includes roles such as Director of Development and Communications at Oasis Counseling for Women and Children and various positions at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, including Major Gifts Officer and Director of Marketing.
Katrina holds a bachelor’s degree from Washington University in St. Louis, a Master of Public Administration from UAB and a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Regent University. She is a Certified Fund Raising Executive and a National Certified Counselor.
Katrina is actively involved in the community, serving on the board of Momentum and as a member of the Rotary Club of Birmingham. She is a graduate of Momentum’s Executive Leaders Program, Alabama Leadership Initiative and Leadership Birmingham. Additionally, she has held leadership positions with the UAB MPA Alumni Society, Children’s Policy Cooperative of Jefferson County, Birmingham Public Library and Birmingham Change Fund. Nationally, she contributed to the Barbara Bush Foundation’s Equity & Access National Working Group, helping to create the National Action Plan for Adult Literacy.
Her accolades include being named a Rising Star by UAB’s National Alumni Society, receiving the UAB MPA Alumni Society’s Sam Gaston Excellence in Mentoring Award and being recognized as a Top Influencer Under 40 by Birmingham Magazine. The Birmingham Business Journal has honored her as a Top 40 Under 40, Who’s Who in Workforce Development, Who’s Who in Nonprofits, an Executive of Influence and a Woman to Watch.
Katrina is a dedicated United Way donor and a member of the J. Mason Davis Leadership Society. She and her husband have been married for more than a decade and have two delightful children.