Montgomery, AL – Family Sunshine Center (FSC) is proud to announce the appointment of Catherine Watts as its new Executive Director.
Watts has been part of the Family Sunshine Center team for more than a decade, first joining the organization in 2015 as Director of Strategic Initiatives before serving as Deputy Director. Since November 2025, she has led the agency as Interim Executive Director, providing steady leadership during a time of transition following the departure of former Executive Director Tay Knight.
Throughout her time with the organization, Watts has helped guide the growth of services for survivors across Central Alabama. She has played a key role in securing more than $15 million in grant funding and expanding programs to meet the evolving needs of survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking. Her leadership has supported the development of new services, including the River Region’s first residential program for survivors of human trafficking and expanded legal services for victims.
“Catherine’s leadership has never been about titles. It has been about showing up, doing the work, and building programs that meet survivors where they are,” said Gloria Dunn, President of FSC’s Board of Directors. “She understands this organization, our mission, and the community we serve in a way that can only come from years of dedication. We are proud to have her step into this role.”
Watts has also led major agency initiatives, including the C.A.R.E.S. (Children Advancing Through Recovery and Empowerment Services) Project, which has been nationally recognized as a model for school-based trauma care, and the development of a statewide anti-trafficking task force in partnership with state leaders.
“I am honored to continue this work alongside a team that is deeply committed to supporting survivors,” said Watts. “Family Sunshine Center has always been about more than services. It is about creating a place where people can find safety, support, and a path forward.”