Our leaders are agents of change, committed to breaking cycles of generational poverty and expanding opportunity in South Dallas.
Elizabeth Wattley, President & CEO
Elizabeth Wattley leads Forest Forward with more than 18 years of experience building social enterprises and driving economic development across South Dallas and Fair Park. Under her leadership, she has raised more than $100 million to advance community-focused development and transformational projects. Before joining Forest Forward, she held leadership roles at CitySquare and Paul Quinn College, where she led the conversion of an unused football field into a nationally recognized organic farm. Her honors include Dallas Business Journal’s 40 Under 40, SMU’s Outstanding Young Alumni Award, D Magazine’s 78 Women Who Make Dallas Great and the Dallas Black Chamber’s Quest for Success Award. She holds a degree in economics from Spelman College and an MBA from SMU’s Cox School of Business.