The Board of Directors of The William Stamps Farish Fund is pleased to announce that Carolyn Watson has joined as Executive Director. The Houston-based Fund was formed in 1951 and supports education, health, social service and faith-based programs.  Its geographic footprint includes Texas, Tennessee, Kentucky, Florida and New York.

Larry Shryock, President of the Fund, stated “On behalf of the Trustees, we are very pleased Carolyn accepted our offer and welcome the proven leadership, compassion and dedication she brings to our organization.”

Prior to joining the Farish Fund, Carolyn served as a Vice President of Corporate Responsibility at JPMorgan Chase.   She directed the JPMorgan Chase Foundation’s philanthropic investments for Austin, El Paso, Houston, and San Antonio.  While at Chase, she deployed nearly $40 million in grants to organizations providing workforce training, small business, financial health and neighborhood revitalization programs. The goal of each grant was to equip families, small businesses and neighborhoods with tools and resources so they could prosper.

Carolyn has over twenty-five years of professional experience spanning the government, nonprofit and corporate sectors.  She holds a BA from Louisiana State University and a Master of Public Affairs degree from the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin. In 2010, she received a Master of Science in Management from Stanford’s Graduate School of Business. She currently serves on the Gulf Coast Workforce Board.

“The Fund has a long history of supporting organizations of all sizes serving people in need with the goal of creating real value and opportunity.  It is an honor to join this established organization and partner with the Trustees to deepen the Fund’s impact”, said Carolyn.