Charles D. Watson
Co-Founder • Board Chair • President
Leadership focus:
Strategy • Governance • Organizational Capacity
Board of Directors
Leadership. Stewardship. Commitment to Community.
Pathways is guided by leaders who share a commitment to service, accountability, and creating opportunities for individuals, families, veterans, and youth throughout our communities.
Our Leadership
Leadership
Leadership
With Purpose
Our Board of Directors provides strategic leadership, governance, and stewardship to ensure Pathways remains focused on its mission, responsible to the communities we serve, and positioned for sustainable impact.
Founding Board of Directors
Leading the Path Forward
United by service and committed to providing the leadership, stewardship, and governance that will guide the future of Pathways.
Rev. Dr. Rolanda V. Watson
Co-Founder • Vice Chair • Treasurer
Leadership focus:
Financial Stewardship • Community Impact • Program Development
Besse Odom-Virgil
Founding Board Member • Governance & Grants Chair
Leadership focus:
Governance • Public Policy • Grants & Partnerships
Terence Warren
Founding Board Member • Secretary
Leadership focus:
Operations • Accountability • Risk & Compliance
Jerry M. Free
Founding Board Member • Vice President
Leadership focus:
Strategic Development • Partnerships • Organizational Growth
Meet Our Board
Leadership in Action
Our Board members bring diverse experience, deep commitment, and a shared belief in creating opportunities for veterans, families, youth, and the communities we serve.
Co-Founder • Board Chair • President
Charles D. Watson
Charles D. Watson is a Gulf War and Somalia combat veteran, disabled U.S. Army veteran, senior technology executive, nonprofit leader, and community servant with decades of experience in executive leadership, strategic planning, and project and program management. A Certified ScrumMaster with extensive experience overseeing complex organizational initiatives, he brings expertise in project governance, resource planning, risk management, performance oversight, process improvement, and leading initiatives from strategy through execution.
Charles D. Watson is a Gulf War and Somalia combat veteran, disabled U.S. Army veteran, senior technology executive, nonprofit leader, and community servant with decades of experience in executive leadership, strategic planning, and project and program management. A Certified ScrumMaster with extensive experience overseeing complex organizational initiatives, he has led multidisciplinary teams and major initiatives involving strategic planning, budgeting, project and program oversight, resource planning, risk management, process improvement, performance management, change leadership, technology, and enterprise transformation. He brings particular strength in translating vision into actionable strategy, establishing project governance and accountability, evaluating organizational risk, developing leaders, and ensuring complex initiatives move effectively from planning through execution.
As Co-Founder, Board Chair, and President of Pathways Community Outreach Foundation, Mr. Watson combines executive leadership with nearly 15 years of nonprofit experience and the lived perspective of a combat veteran. He provides strategic and governance leadership while guiding the Foundation’s organizational direction, partnerships, program oversight, performance, and long-term growth. His leadership is focused on ensuring Pathways grows deliberately and responsibly, with the organizational capacity, accountability, and management discipline necessary to steward resources effectively and create measurable, lasting impact for veterans, families, youth, and the communities we serve.
“Leadership is not a position — it's a responsibility to create opportunities for others.”
Co-Founder • Vice Chair • Treasurer
Rev. Dr. Rolanda V. Watson
Rev. Dr. Rolanda V. Watson is a U.S. Army Gulf War Veteran, senior federal financial management professional, Licensed Ordained Minister, and nonprofit and community leader with decades of experience in financial stewardship, organizational leadership, strategic planning, and public service. Throughout her career, she has held senior financial leadership positions overseeing complex budgets, financial accountability, internal controls, and the responsible management of public resources, bringing Pathways extensive experience in stewardship, governance, and mission-focused leadership.
Rev. Dr. Rolanda V. Watson is a U.S. Army Gulf War Veteran, senior federal financial management professional, Licensed Ordained Minister, and nonprofit and community leader with decades of experience in financial stewardship, organizational leadership, strategic planning, administration, and public service. She currently serves as a State Budget Officer with the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, providing leadership and oversight for complex federal budget operations, financial accountability, internal controls, and resource management. Her federal career has included service with the Departments of the Interior, Army, Air Force, and Veterans Affairs, as well as the Federal Aviation Administration, with senior financial leadership experience including Chief Financial Officer/Comptroller and Budget Officer.
Dr. Watson's leadership extends into nonprofit, faith-based, and community service. She previously supported executive leadership and organizational programs for a nonprofit church organization and has contributed to governance and accountability through her service with Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, including service as Sergeant-at-Arms and on the Internal Audit and Nominating Committees. She holds a Ph.D. in Biblical Communications, Doctor of Ministry in Biblical Exposition, and Master of Business Administration, and her professional credentials include Certified Defense Financial Manager, Certified ScrumMaster, DoD Financial Management Certification Program Level 2, Certified Pastoral Counselor, and Board Level Certified Senior Fellow in Christian Organizational Leadership.
As Co-Founder, Vice Chair, and Treasurer of Pathways, Dr. Watson brings together financial stewardship, organizational leadership, compassionate service, and lived military experience. She supports board leadership and governance while helping ensure the Foundation’s resources are responsibly managed, financial accountability remains strong, and programs stay aligned with the mission and communities Pathways serves.
“Service begins with compassion and grows through commitment.”
Founding Board Member • Governance & Grants Chair
Besse Odom-Virgil
Besse Odom-Virgil brings more than a decade of nonprofit and public-sector experience spanning organizational leadership, governance, public policy, federal grant administration, and strategic partnerships. Her experience includes service on boards, municipal steering committees, and advisory councils, as well as helping develop a local nonprofit and cultivating relationships across nonprofit, government, and community sectors. In her current role, she manages a multimillion-dollar federal grant, providing oversight of significant public resources while ensuring alignment with programmatic and policy objectives.
Besse Odom-Virgil brings more than a decade of nonprofit and public-sector experience spanning organizational leadership, governance, public policy, federal grant administration, and strategic partnerships. Her experience includes service on numerous boards in various capacities, participation in municipal steering committees and advisory councils, and the development of relationships with nonprofit organizations in Alaska and internationally. She has also contributed significantly to the development of a local nonprofit, providing firsthand experience with organizational formation, governance, and the development of community-based initiatives.
As Governance & Grants Chair and a Founding Board Member of Pathways, Ms. Odom-Virgil brings valuable experience in nonprofit governance, grant administration, public policy, government systems, and strategic partnerships. Her experience managing significant public resources and navigating complex funding and policy environments strengthens Pathways’ ability to pursue sustainable funding, maintain sound governance, cultivate strategic partnerships, and build the institutional relationships necessary to expand its long-term community impact.
“Strong communities are built when good policy, responsible resources, and committed people work together with purpose.”
Founding Board Member • Secretary
Terence Warren
Terence Warren is a retired U.S. Army veteran, disabled veteran, and accomplished operations and organizational leader with more than 20 years of experience leading complex military, government, and corporate operations. Throughout his career, he has directed large workforces, managed high-value government resources, developed operational policies and procedures, evaluated organizational performance, strengthened accountability, and advised senior leadership on operational priorities and process improvements.
Terence Warren is a retired U.S. Army veteran, disabled veteran, and accomplished operations and organizational leader with more than 20 years of experience leading complex military, government, and corporate operations. Throughout his career, he has directed large workforces, managed high-value government resources, developed operational policies and procedures, evaluated organizational performance, strengthened accountability, and advised senior leadership on operational priorities and process improvements. His experience leading teams of more than 100 employees and supporting operations responsible for hundreds of millions of dollars in government assets has given him a deep understanding of leadership, stewardship, risk management, compliance, and the disciplined execution required to turn strategy into results.
As Secretary and a Founding Board Member of Pathways, Mr. Warren brings a critical operational and strategic perspective to the Foundation's governance and development. His experience strengthens the Board's ability to maintain accountability, evaluate organizational risk, establish effective processes and controls, and ensure Pathways grows with the operational discipline necessary to create measurable and lasting community impact.
“Discipline today creates opportunity tomorrow.”
Founding Board Member • Vice President
Jerry M. Free
J. Malcolm Free is a retired U.S. Army veteran, disabled veteran, leadership and organizational development professional, educator, coach, and community advocate with more than 22 years of military service. His experience spans leadership development, mentorship, behavioral science, wellness, education, program development, and organizational improvement. As founder of N2U NeuroLeadership & Health Coaching, Mr. Free brings Pathways valuable expertise in developing people, strengthening organizations, and transforming strategic ideas into structured, sustainable programs and measurable community impact.
J. Malcolm Free is a retired U.S. Army veteran, disabled veteran, leadership and organizational development professional, educator, coach, and community advocate with more than 22 years of military service and extensive experience developing people, leaders, and organizations. His work spans leadership development, mentorship, health and wellness coaching, behavioral science, education, program development, and organizational improvement. As founder of N2U NeuroLeadership & Health Coaching, Mr. Free applies principles of leadership, human behavior, wellness, and performance to help individuals and organizations move from vision to structured, sustainable action. His experience developing educational programs, workshops, mentoring initiatives, and organizational systems brings Pathways valuable expertise in building programs that strengthen people while producing meaningful and measurable outcomes.
As Vice President and a Founding Board Member of Pathways, Mr. Free brings a strategic focus on organizational development, partnerships, program growth, and community impact. His experience in leadership development, mentorship, and organizational capacity building helps Pathways strengthen its programs, expand strategic relationships, and transform mission-driven ideas into sustainable opportunities for veterans, families, youth, and the communities we serve.
“Strategic vision creates pathways for sustainable growth.”
Organizational Leadership
From Strategy to Impact
Pathways brings together governance, financial stewardship, operational discipline, program development, and strategic partnerships to turn our mission into measurable community impact.
Strategic Governance
Provides organizational direction, establishes priorities, evaluates risk, and ensures Pathways remains aligned with its mission and long-term goals.
Financial & Operational Stewardship
Maintains responsible oversight of resources, internal controls, compliance, budgeting, and the operational systems necessary to deliver programs effectively.
Program Development & Impact
Translates community needs into purposeful programs with defined objectives, measurable outcomes, and accountability for the people and communities we serve.
Partnerships & Sustainability
Builds relationships with community organizations, funders, government agencies, businesses, and other stakeholders to expand resources, strengthen programs, and support long-term sustainability.
Our Governance Commitment
Governance That Earns Trust
Effective governance is essential to earning and maintaining the trust of the people, partners, donors, and communities we serve. Our Board is committed to thoughtful oversight, responsible stewardship, and decisions that keep the Pathways mission at the center.
Responsible Stewardship
We are committed to managing the resources entrusted to Pathways responsibly and in support of our charitable mission.
Accountability & Transparency
Our Board provides oversight, establishes organizational priorities, and helps ensure Pathways operates with integrity, transparency, and accountability.
View Our Transparency & AccountabilityMission-Centered Leadership
Our decisions are guided by the Pathways mission and by our commitment to creating meaningful opportunities for service, stability, and leadership.
Our Commitment
Service Before Self
Board service at Pathways is a commitment to the mission and to the people and communities we serve. Our directors are expected to lead with integrity, exercise sound judgment, support responsible stewardship, and keep the Foundation's mission at the center of every decision.
Members of the Pathways Board of Directors serve in a volunteer capacity.
Service
Putting people and community first.
Accountability
Leading responsibly and transparently.
Stewardship
Protecting the mission and its future.
Together, We're Building Pathways Forward.
Discover our programs, get involved, or support our mission as we work to strengthen individuals, families, and communities.