Carlton Watson

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. Terna’s life of travel, education, and advocacy has led her to a deep awareness of health, healing, and overall wellness in herself and others. She is interested in the inner (r)evolutions we all experience and how they show up in relationships between our inner dichotomies (ex. fierce and tender, hard and soft, seen and unseen).

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:

• African American Juneteenth Comm, Recognition of Outstanding Leadership and Guidance, 2013
• Seven 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
• Nigerian American Organization, Human Service Leadership Award, 2010
• Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Dedicated Services to the City of Worcester, 2009
• State Senate Official Citation, Commendation for Barbara Jordan Award, 2009
• Worcester County Sheriffs Office, Leadership Recognition, 2009
• Worcester Democratic City Comm, Barbara Jordan Award, 2009
• YMCA, Leadership Award, 2008
• Hector Reyes House, Certificate of Appreciation for Expertise & Support, 2008
• NASW, Greatest Contribution to Social Work Practice, 2006
• NASW Central Mass Region, Community Impact Award, 2005
• Atlantic Union College, Certificate of Appreciation for Expertise & Support of Social Work Students, 2005

Carlton Watson

Carlton Watson

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