Kerry Watterson

Kerry Pereira Watterson has leveraged a half-billion dollars for social impact throughout his 23-year career in public service and impact investing. He is a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE), a BoardSource® certified consultant for nonprofit boards, and founded Fundraising Well, a certified LGBT Business Enterprise that amplifies the impact and income of nonprofits around the world.  He currently serves as the Managing Director, Regions and Founding Executive Director, NY with Thrive Scholars, helping high-performing, under-resourced opportunity youth navigate their pathway for college access and success, and the launch of their professional careers.

In addition to serving on the Board of Directors for A Call to Men, he has held Board of Directors seats with the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) NYC and New York Theatre Barn. Kerry teaches Fundraising Models & Resource Development with University of California-Irvine and lectures regularly on public-private partnerships, philanthropic impact investments, and ethics in fundraising.

Mortar Board®, the national college society for scholarship, service, and leadership, honored Kerry with the National Alumni Achievement Award for his leadership and impact in the nonprofit sector, noting his accomplishments of winning federal recognition of same sex marriages via the historic SCOTUS case, United States v Windsor, and advancing economic and racial justice through dozens of causes. 

Kerry attended Texas Wesleyan University and University of Arizona earning two master’s degrees. He is also a two-time champion with the New York Gay Football League and lives in Jersey City, NJ with his husband.