Watts
MPA Student at Fels Institute of Government | Intern at Philanthropy for Active Civic Engagement
- Role
- Research and Learning Intern at Philanthropy for Active Civic Engagement (PACE)
- Location
- Philadelphia, PA, US
- LinkedIn followers
- 500 followers
About Watts
I\'m a public servant and philanthropy professional passionate about strengthening civic life through field-building and grassroots organizing. Originally from Atlanta, now based in Philadelphia (go Birds), my career is connected by a core thread: that stronger communities and deeper relationships are how we repair American democracy.I have pursued that conviction by placing more than 150 young professionals into local government leadership roles, building an online community of 200 philanthropic funders collaborating on mental health solutions, and connecting hundreds of students to local professionals while serving as Board Chair of the only work-based learning organization in Kona, Hawai\'i.Through these experiences, I’ve come to believe that many of our country’s deepest challenges stem from a growing sense of isolation and distrust. Our democratic institutions too often reinforce fragmentation rather than counter it. But I\'ve also seen clubs and grassroots associations bringing creativity and joy back into civic life, and a real surge of collaboration among democracy funders who are ready to think bigger.As I complete my graduate studies at the University of Pennsylvania this summer, I\'m looking to drive that effort by building coalitions and strategies that invest in local civic infrastructure and structural election reform to bring people back together.
Experience
Research and Learning Intern
Philanthropy for Active Civic Engagement (PACE)
Jan 2026 — Present · Philadelphia, PA, US
I support PACE\'s Sr. Director for Strategy and Learning with special projects and funder learning labs with a specific focus on the Democracy Futures initiative.
Education
SRH Hochschule Heidelberg
Bachelor's degree
2019 — 2019
Fels Institute of Government at the University of Pennsylvania
Master of Public Administration - MPA
2025 — 2026
Georgia College and State University
Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) with honors
2016 — 2020
University of Oxford
Bachelor of Arts - BA
2018 — 2018
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