Monica Watkins
Executive Vice President/Chief Operating Officer, Executive Offices
Monica Watkins is a career professional in the fields of engineering, energy, business, finance, construction, and housing operations. In 2006, Ms. Watkins joined the Housing Authority of Baltimore City (HABC) and successfully established the first ever Energy Department within the agency. The Energy Department was charged with managing HABC’s energy platform, reducing utility and energy consumption, and upgrading public housing units with Energy Star appliances and new utility systems.
Since June 2021, Ms. Watkins has been Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer at HABC. She is tasked with strategizing, planning, and expanding the operational efficiency of several divisions to include Public Housing, Private Management, Admissions & Leasing, Resident Services, Homeownership, Engineering & Construction, Administration & Training and overall Housing Operations,. She now leads over 400 team members in the daily execution of HABC’s mission to create and provide quality affordable housing opportunities in sustainable neighborhoods for the people HABC serves. To accomplish this, Monica believes it starts with allowing for creative solutions and encouraging capable and impactful leadership throughout her various departments.
In addition to leading professionally, Ms. Watkins has been successfully leading in her public service, organizational and personal life. Monica is a past chapter president for the Baltimore Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc, a past board member of Suited to Succeed/Dress for Success and a past board member of the Council for Women in Energy & Environmental Leadership (CWEEL) — with many more accomplishments under her belt. Moreover, her latest project is to lead a team to establish BAC’s Centennial BRIDGE Project initiative dedicated to providing resources, support, and connections to formerly incarcerated Baltimore area women re-entering society. As a testament to her commitment, in July 2022 Ms. Watkins was appointed to the Maryland Commission for Women for a 4-year term and also serves as a member of the University of Maryland Civil Engineering Bureau of Visitors.
Ms. Watkins has a BSME from the University of Maryland College Park and an MBA-Finance from Loyola (College) University, holding certifications in energy management, verification, and technology.
