Amari Watkins joined Elk Grove Unified School District as Chief Financial Officer in June 2023, responsible for managing a $1 billion budget and over $500 million in long-term debt obligations. She has served public education for over 18 years, formerly as the Associate Superintendent of Business Services in Davis Joint Unified School District, overseeing over $200 million in outstanding public debt and four local tax measures, and in various business leadership roles in Sacramento City Unified School District, monitoring over $1.5 billion in long term debt obligations and investment of district funds. Prior to her school district career, Ms. Watkins conducted audits for the State Legislature during her seven years with the California State Auditor’s Office.
Ms. Watkins has a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration and is a Certified Public Accountant. She is also a graduate of the Fiscal Crisis and Management Assistance Team (FCMAT) CBO Mentor Program and is a California Association of School Business Officials (CASBO) Certified Chief Business Official. Outside of public service, Ms. Watkins enjoys gardening, home improvement projects, photography, and life’s adventures with her five children and three dogs.