Board Members

Christopher Watler

Christopher Watler serves as Executive Vice President for the Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO), a national nonprofit that helps people leaving incarceration advance their careers in 30 cities. Chris oversees fundraising and communications initiatives, and various special projects dedicated to advancing the CEO’s mission.  He previously served as Executive Director of CEO's New York State programs overseeing CEO's flagship New York City program and Upstate New York Offices. As an executive team member, Chris is involved in the overall organizational strategy development and implementation and provides leadership on CEO’s internal DEI initiatives. 

Chris has over 30 years of nonprofit leadership experience. Before joining CEO in 2016, Chris worked in several key roles for the Center for Justice Innovation for 20 years. He served as the project director for the Harlem Community Justice Center for 10 years, where he developed nationally recognized, evidence-based reentry programs for youth and adults, diversion programs for juveniles, and eviction-prevention programs for housing court litigants.  Chris holds a BS in political science from the State University of New York at Purchase and an MPA from John Jay College.