Sandra Watson

Sandra Watson is an economic development leader with more than 30 years of experience in business attraction, business expansion, innovation, entrepreneurship, economic policy, and workforce development. As president and CEO of the Arizona Commerce Authority, Watson leads a public-private partnership that brings together leaders from private industry, academia, and all three branches of state government to advance Arizona's economy. Watson has played a key role in shaping the organization into a model for statewide economic development.

Under Watson's leadership, the Arizona Commerce Authority has worked with more than 1,400 companies that have committed to creating over 325,000 jobs and investing more than $204 billion in new capital in Arizona. Her strategic approach focuses on attracting out-of-state companies, supporting the expansion of existing businesses, and assisting entrepreneurs in launching new ventures in targeted industries. Watson has also served as senior economic policy advisor to Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs, contributing to economic policy at the highest levels of state government.

Watson is a member of the U.S. Investment Advisory Council, advising the U.S. Secretary of Commerce on foreign direct investment policy, and serves as co-chair of the council's Workforce Subcommittee, where she has contributed to the development of the semiconductor workforce and the National Semiconductor Economic Roadmap. She is a founding member and chair of the State Economic Development Executives Network Board of Directors, a founding partner on the Institute for Automated Mobility Board of Directors, and a board member of the National State Science and Technology Institute and the Make-A-Wish Arizona Foundation.

Watson has been recognized by the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry with the Transformational Leader of the Year award for her role in diversifying Arizona's economy and growing high-wage, export-based industries. She began her career in Canada and has developed expertise in executing economic development strategies on regional, national, and international levels. Watson holds an Honors Bachelor of Commerce degree and has completed the Global Leadership Certification program at Thunderbird School of Global Management.

Watson is a frequent speaker on economic competitiveness, innovation, and workforce strategy at industry conferences and community economic development summits. Her experience in translating economic policy into actionable strategy and fostering collaboration across government, business, and academia positions her as a credible resource for audiences interested in American economic growth.