Anita Watkins serves as Vice Chair of the Stanfield Desrosiers Foundation, bringing over two decades of expertise as a transformational business leader, human capital strategist, and advocate for economic growth, women’s health, and justice for the BIPOC community. She architects human systems that drive innovation, resilience, and sustainable business growth. As Founder and Principal of Watkins Strategic Partners LLC, she brings C-suite-level human capital strategy to growing businesses and mission-driven organizations that rarely have that kind of expertise within reach.

As Vice Chair of the Stanfield Desrosiers Foundation, Anita co-leads with the board, the foundation’s enterprise governance strategy and has served as the lead on legal due diligence related to the foundation’s first real estate acquisition — applying the same rigor she’s brought to her roles in multi-billion-dollar enterprises to an organization whose mission is deeply personal to her.

Her path to this work runs through some of the most demanding organizations in American business — including Bloomingdale’s, where she managed a $110M+ business portfolio and oversaw people strategies for more than 2,400 employees; Bvlgari Group, where she served as North American Center of Excellence Lead for Organization Development and Change Management; and Susan Ulin Associates, where she managed operations for a consulting firm that raised $35–$40 million annually for nonprofits — giving her a firsthand understanding of the funding pressures and resource constraints her clients now navigate.

Anita also serves on the Board of Directors for Girls Inc. of Chicago, advancing programming that builds confidence and opportunity for young women. Her philanthropic giving is directed to organizations supporting women’s rights, community organizing, and economic justice globally.

Anita holds a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Management and has completed advanced executive development programs at McKinsey & Company, UC Berkeley, Cornell University, and the State University of New York’s Levin Institute. Learn more about Anita’s work at www.watkinssp.com