Sharon Watkins Jones is a seasoned public affairs strategist and community engagement leader with more than 25 years of experience advancing policy, advocacy, and business-to-community partnerships across Texas. She specializes in coalition building, government relations, public issue advocacy, and strategic communications that connect business leaders, policymakers, and communities to drive equitable economic growth.
Sharon currently serves as Director of Texas Business Engagement at Public Private Strategies, where she leads the Texas Business Leader Alliance, a network of business voices that engages elected officials and civic leaders on critical issues including democratic institutions, healthcare access and affordability, and policies that strengthen opportunity for working families. Through this work, she helps align the private sector with public policy solutions that promote long-term community and economic stability.
She is also Principal Consultant at Watkins Jones LLC, advising clients on political consulting, campaign strategy, digital marketing, public relations, and grassroots engagement. Previously, Sharon served as Chief Equity Officer at CHILDREN AT RISK, where she directed statewide racial equity initiatives and guided research, advocacy, and education efforts impacting Texas families and children. Her leadership background also includes senior roles with the ACLU of Texas, Lone Star College, and statewide public policy organizations, where she built coalitions, led issue campaigns, and developed workforce and community programs at scale.
Recognized for her collaborative leadership and strategic insight, Sharon brings deep expertise in public policy, health equity, coalition management, and civic engagement. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from The University of Texas at Austin.
As a board member of the Greater Houston Black Chamber, Sharon is dedicated to strengthening the bridge between business, government, and community stakeholders, ensuring Black-owned businesses have a strong voice in policy conversations and equitable access to resources that fuel sustainable growth.