Please Welcome Valerie Nicholson-Watson:

Valerie Nicholson-Watson

President & CEO, Harvesters—The Community Food Network

 

Valerie joined Harvesters in 2013.  She had previously worked as Harvesters’ director of community services where she was responsible for the food bank’s advocacy, communications, nutrition services and volunteer program from 1999-2004. She served on the Harvesters’ board of directors from 2007 to 2013.  

Harvesters—The Community Food Network provided 38 million meals last year to more  than 620 non-profit organizations in 26 counties. Each month, 141,500 people receive food assistance through Harvesters’ network, making it the largest source of food for nonprofit agencies in the region. Harvesters’ mission is to feed hungry people today and work to end hunger tomorrow.   In 2011, Harvesters was named Feeding America’s Food Bank of the year.

Valerie’s impressive Bio includes serving as treasurer of the Missouri Coalition of Children’s Agencies, where she served on the board of the Guadalupe Centers, Inc., and has been active with the Heart of America United Way Campaign. This year she was recognized as a “2015 Black Woman of Distinction” from Friends of Yates, Inc. In 2014 she received the Nefertiti Award from the Societas Docta, Incorporated. Valerie was recognized for her volunteer service with a 2013 President’s Volunteer Service Award, and by the 100 Black Men of KC with their 2012 Health and Wellness Award. She was named by the Kansas City Globe as one of the 100 Most Influential African-Americans in Greater KC. 

Prior to joining Harvesters, Valerie was a leader in the local nonprofit community as the president and chief executive officer of the Niles Home for Children. The Niles Home provides residential and day services for children ages 6-17, who have been traumatized by abuse, neglect or abandonment. The agency in 2008 was one of two agencies nationwide awarded the “Innovative Practices” Award from the Council on Accreditation (COA) for its Hip Health initiative. She also has held communications positions at Gateway, Inc., and the Kansas City, Mo.,  School District and worked as a journalist for the Kansas City Globe and The Kansas City Call.

Valerie currently serves as treasurer of the board for Nonprofit Connect. She is a board member and past chairperson for KC Metro CARES Mentoring Movement, part of a national effort to increase the number of African-American mentors. She is also a member of the US Bank Advisory Board.

  Valerie has a Bachelor of Journalism degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia and an MBA from Webster University. She lives in Lee’s Summit, Mo., with her husband, Mark Watson.  They have two sons and are the proud grandparents of three grandsons.