Laurie Watkins Named To Board of Directors

Center of Hope (Haiti), Inc. is pleased to announce that Laurie Watkins has become a member of its Board of Directors, effective June 1, 2015. Ms. Watkins, a graduate of Florida State University, is based in Washington, D.C., and currently works in business development for the National Security and Advanced Solutions industries for CSSI, Inc.  Prior to CSSI, Ms. Watkins worked as a policy advisor for the Department of Defense.  She also served as the Florida Policy Director for Obama for America in 2012.  From 2009-2010, she worked as Director of Business Development for SMSnets, a mobile messaging firm. Ms. Watkins has had a varied and busy background, including board memberships and positions of responsibility with U.S. Green Building Council Broward County Chapter and Friends of ChildNet.

Ms. Watkins has a clear passion for Haiti.  Her interest in the country stems from her childhood in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, where she grew up alongside several Haitian children.  Through her church, Ms. Watkins went on mission trips to Haiti and worked in local schools. "We are very grateful to have Ms. Watkins join our Board," said Emmanuel St. Juste, Chairman of the COHH Board. "I am looking forward to working with her on fundraising ideas," said Julie Atkinson, Executive Director of COHH. "I know she will be a good champion for the vision and goals for COHH."