Dr. Watson served as Executive Director of Field Service for the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, one of the nation’s leading education and advocacy groups from 1997 to 2002. In this position, she worked closely with the National Aging network and expanded the National Committee’s network of volunteers. Prior to joining the National Committee, Dr. Watson served as Commissioner of the Virginia Department for the Aging (VDA) from 1990 to 1997 under Governor L. Douglas Wilder and Governor George Allen.Before serving as Commissioner for VDA, Dr. Watson was Acting Commissioner from November 1989 until January 1990 under Governor Gerald Baliles and Deputy Commissioner from June 1988 until November 1989. Prior to her employment with the Commonwealth of Virginia, she was Deputy Director of the Crater District Area Agency on Aging in Petersburg, VA for eight years. Dr. Watson worked with the Crater Planning District Commission and its member local governments in several positions related to aging, human services and human resources from 1972 to 1980. She has served on numerous local state and federal boards and advisory councils.
A gerontologist and public administrator, Dr. Watson received a Ph.D in Public Policy and Administration from Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), a graduate degree in Gerontology from VCU and undergraduate degree in Sociology/Social Work from Virginia State University. Additionally, she completed the Virginia Executive Institute.
Dr. Watson is a native of Virginia and resides in Petersburg, Virginia.