Watchen Harris Bruce

Watchen Harris Bruce is an experienced professional with a diverse background in various sectors. In 2004, they worked as a Management Consultant in Real Estate for NeighborWorks America. From 2008 to 2012, they served as Vice President and Business Banker at PNC. Starting in 2012, they worked as the Chief of Party and Country Director for the International Executive Service Corp-USAID DCA Project, where they provided loan guarantees, technical assistance, and capacity services to bankers and small-medium-sized enterprises in Liberia. From 2016 to 2017, they served as the Agribusiness Private Sector Advisor and Program Director for the USAID Feed the Future Liberia Agribusiness Development Activity. In 2017, they became the Deputy Chief of Party - Programs for the USAID Feed the Future Liberia Agribusiness Development Activities. In 2018, they assumed the role of CEO for Africa New Frontier, Inc., an agribusiness project focused on commercializing and mechanizing agriculture in Liberia. Currently, they are the President and CEO of Baltimore Community Lending, Inc., a nonprofit community development financial institution (CDFI) that promotes the revitalization of neighborhoods within Baltimore City. Watchen has a proven track record in leadership, management, and program implementation in various organizations and industries.

Watchen Harris Bruce has a strong educational background with a range of degrees and certifications. Watchen pursued a Doctorate Candidate degree in Management & Organization Development from Grand Canyon University between 2015 and 2018. Prior to that, they obtained a Bachelor's degree in Community Planning and Management from UMass Boston, which they completed between 2002 and 2004. Additionally, they earned a Master of Education (MEd) degree in Business Administration and Management, General from Cambridge College from 1988 to 1990. Starting from 1970 and continuing until 1977, Watchen attended Ricks Institute and achieved an Associate of Arts (A.A.) in Accounting. In terms of certifications, they completed a Certificate in Nonprofit Leadership from Boston College Center for Corporate Citizenship in December 2020.