Team Members
The work of the Watertown Community Foundation is rooted in the time, talent and treasure of the community. Staffed by our Executive Director and aided by part-time administrative expertise, volunteers are the lifeblood of our endeavors. Led by the all-volunteer board of directors, volunteers read and review grant proposals, coordinate with neighborhoods for their block parties, and assist with events and communications. Your time and gifts of support are what make our work possible.
Athelia “Tia” Tilson
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Athelia “Tia” Tilson is a seasoned, non-profit leader, community activist, and fundraiser with over 20 years’ experience identifying and developing partnerships to strengthen non-profits. She has managed significant development efforts for major health, scientific, educational, and human service organizations, including Brigham and Women’s Hospital and The Harvard T.H. Chan School’s Ariadne Labs, Pathfinder International, MIT, The Home for Little Wanderers, and the Institute for Clinical and Economic Review.
Tia has long-focused on building strong, healthy, equitable communities through her deep work in the city’s community organizations. She is a steering committee member and facilitator for Watertown Community Conversations, a local non-profit that facilitates public dialogue to support community-engaged decision-making. She is also a steering committee member and facilitator for Watertown Forward, a non-partisan civic action group that educates and engages the community in local government. Additionally, Tia serves as board treasurer for March for Moms, a national maternal health advocacy organization. Tia and her spouse Maria have called Watertown home for over 30 years.
Heather R. McManus, PhD
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
Heather R. McManus is a research scientist by training with extensive experience in civic engagement, community building, cross-sector collaboration, and operational systems design. She serves as the primary manager of the Foundation’s grantmaking programs and systems. In this role, she oversees the full grant lifecycle, including application processes, due diligence, grantee outreach and support, reporting, and ongoing program follow-up. Heather works closely with nonprofit partners and community service providers to ensure the Foundation’s grantmaking remains responsive, well-coordinated, and grounded in real-time community needs.
Heather and her family have lived in Watertown, MA, since 2015, and she is deeply invested in the Watertown community. Heather helped draft and implement the Watertown biotechnology regulations, which guide a rapidly growing local life sciences sector, and subsequently served as the first Chair of the Watertown Biosafety Committee from December 2020 to March 2022. She also served as an active member and officer of the Watertown, MA, Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) from 2020 to 2025, supporting caregiver engagement, rights-based education, and collaboration with the school district.
Aaqila Abdul-nur
GIFT ADMINISTRATOR
Aaqila Abdul-nur is a detailed-oriented professional with a passion for customer service and helping others. With more than 10 years working in non-profit fundraising, she has successfully managed direct-mail campaigns, met fundraising goals, and fostered meaningful relationships to help further organizations’ missions. Experienced in database marketing, managing event logistics, and analyzing data to help guide decision making to create year-long strategies for success, Aaqila holds a BS in Marketing from UMASS Dartmouth.
Vicky Sax
GRAPHICS AND WEB COORDINATOR
Vicky is an accomplished graphic designer based in Watertown. She specializes in enhancing and supporting branding for businesses and nonprofits. She has a strong connection to her community and volunteers for the Watertown Arts Market, YardArt and the Watertown Unity Breakfast. She and her husband have lived in Watertown for more than twenty years. Their daughter is a K-12 graduate of Watertown Public Schools.
Romualda (Roma) Jerome
BLOCK PARTY COORDINATOR
Please go to our Block Party Grants page to learn more about holding a block party and apply for a grant to help pay for it.