DIVERSITY & INCLUSION
WOMEN WHO rock CAMMY WATKINS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, INCLUSIVE COMMUNITIES
DOING good
CAMMY WATKINS FIGHTS INEQUITY, BUILDS DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION In Cammy Watkins’ 19-year career in the nonprofit industry, she admits to saying “no” more than “yes” to leadership roles. Sometimes, imposter syndrome crept up, her personal insecurities and misconceptions about what it meant to be “ready” to lead. Other times, the intentional marginalization by those in positions of power was clear. “I had one executive director tell me that I ‘lacked vision,’ and that I would challenge them sometimes and ‘nobody would want that [in a direct report],’” Watkins recalled. “Instances of being passed over or having to beg for a title change (without a pay increase) to give myself better chances for advancement take a toll on one’s psyche. I had to do a lot of self-work, and it took having a really supportive supervisor to help me recognize that I am worthy and I shouldn’t feel as if I don’t deserve or belong in positions of power.” Today, Watkins is an executive director at Inclusive Communities. She shares the role alongside Maggie Wood. Together, the duo work to balance inequities via the 83-year-old nonprofit, formerly known as the Midlands NCCJ (National Conference for Christians and Jews) chapter. The NCCJ was first reportedly formed in response to the violence and bigotry of the 1930s, characterized partly by active KKK groups, and the rise of Hitler and Nazism.
“There is a common theme of the inequities experienced by people who are the ‘other,’ or the minority,” she said, when reflecting on a diverse range of former organization-employers. “I see it as my responsibility to make a difference in this world before I leave it. And I truly feel like I am, and can continue to do that, with Inclusive Communities.” A high school-aged Watkins would have answered, “opera singer,” “arts administrator” or “child psychologist” when asked the question of “What do you want to be?” So, at Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Iowa, Watkins naturally studied psychology and vocal performance. She found herself still gravitating toward human services and interpersonal relationships — just not as a therapist. “So, I decided to work with underserved youth and families,” she said. That led to embarking on her nonprofit career at Head Start. “After receiving my BA, I knew that I wanted to work in the nonprofit industry as it would allow me to follow my purpose of making a difference in the world,” Watkins said. “I wasn’t sure how I would make a difference but was willing to go where I was called or drawn to.” Watkin’s willingness to go wherever she could follow that purpose and make a difference is evidenced by her transition into environmental activism.
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