Originally from Northern California, Shelley Watson was raised in Tucson and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Arizona State University. She began her career at the American Heart Association where she held positions including Executive Director of the Southern Arizona Region, and VP for Research & Community Programs for the Arizona Affiliate.

Prior to joining SALC in 2017, Watson was COO of a national fundraising consulting firm where she managed a team of consultants and directed capital campaigns that raised more than $750 million for nonprofits across the country. Shelley serves on the boards of several organizations including Education Forward Arizona, Tucson Values Teachers, is board president of Sister Jose Women’s Center, and is a past board president of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southern Arizona.