Gena Davis Watkins
V.P. and Chief Development Officer

Gena Davis Watkins has been the Institute for Student Achievement's Vice President and Chief Development Officer since joining the organization in March 2004. In her role, Ms. Davis Watkins oversees all ISA fundraising activities with a focus on significantly increasing and diversifying its financial resources to achieve maximum growth. Ms. Davis Watkins came to ISA from the National Urban League where, as senior vice president and chief development officer, she oversaw all fundraising, including a $50 million endowment campaign, raising $23 million in the first 18 months.

Ms. Davis Watkins began her career as a research associate for the United Way of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. Other credits include planning and development coordinator for the City of New Haven Office of Downtown and Harbor Development; mayoral appointee and director of the City of New Haven Office of Housing and Neighborhood Development; administrator/development advisor in charge of the $3.5 million historic renovation and expansion of the Hannah Gray Home, a 140-year-old home for elderly African-American women. Additionally, in this role Ms. Davis Watkins had a wide involvement in community service organizations and contributed to a number of publications on strategic planning and implementation of community development projects and programs.

Ms. Davis Watkins holds a master’s degree in Education and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Pittsburgh, as well as certification from the Indiana University Center on Philanthropy.