Sonya Watson
Director of Fiscal Sponsorship Programs • She/Her
Sonya Watson is the Director of Fiscal Sponsorship Programs at Beyond Impact. She is a 501(c)(3) & 501(c)(4) fiscal sponsor and non-profit management wizard with over 25 years of experience. Sonya’s specialization is empowering BIPOC-led organizations as well as creating leadership & community-based development programs by providing operationalized 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) organizations with support through compliance, fundraising and grantmaking. She brings forth winning strategies with an issue area focus and passion towards economic and racial justice. With her deep commitment and extensive experience in youth development, women’s and girls’ empowerment, racial justice and reform, reproductive advocacy, environmental sustainability, and, more recently, progressive political engagement as a connector—she is a dedicated partner in values-aligned social justice. She understands what grassroots organizations need to thrive and is committed to providing strategic support and collaborative leadership to advance impactful social change.
Sonya leverages her credentials as a Certified Professional Coach (CPC) and Associate Certified Coach (ACC) to empower Change Makers through Healing Center Coaching. This innovative approach serves as a vital tool for leaders’ growth and healing, guiding them as they craft a future rooted in collective liberation. Healing Center Coaching is a groundbreaking model that fosters pause, grounding, alignment, and action within a nurturing, healing environment. It is designed to support diverse communities in healing, expanding their impact, clarifying their vision, and deepening their connection to their passion.
Most notably, she was awarded a fellowship with the LeaderSpring Center’s 2025 African American Women LeadStrong Fellowship, designed to support leaders in the philanthropic sector who work with and support non-profit organizations. As a dedicated social justice change agent, she possesses the courage to challenge oppressive systems, critically examine and implement liberatory frameworks, and foster transformative leadership that advances both her personal growth and our collective power.
Sonya has been a resident of the Bay Area since childhood, currently residing in the East Bay with her husband, Henry, and their college age daughter. She is characterized by her unwavering commitment to social justice, philanthropy, and community impact. Key attributes that define her include her roles as a dedicated partner and mother, as well as her expertise as a fundraising connector, motivator, mentor, change agent, and fiscal sponsor partner. Sonya’s leadership is rooted in a deep passion for advancing equity and fostering meaningful change within her community.
