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Abstract

Effective project management is a powerful tool for transforming communities and enhancing public services. In this engaging session, Joshua Watkins, Director of Strategic Initiatives at Louisville Metro Government and an active community leader, will explore the synergy between public service and project management.

From his extensive experience managing diverse projects in real estate development, violence prevention, and organizational performance improvement, Joshua will share strategies for aligning project goals with community needs. He will delve into the importance of strategic planning, performance management, and customer service in delivering projects that truly benefit the public.

Presenter

Joshua Watkins, PMP, PMI-ACP, Lean Six Sigma Green Belt
Director of Strategic Initiatives, Louisville Metro Government
Licensed Realtor, Kentucky

Joshua Watkins is a dedicated project management professional with over a decade of experience leading impactful initiatives within local government. As the Director of Strategic Initiatives for Louisville Metro Government, Joshua excels in strategic planning and execution, performance management, customer service enhancement, and coaching and training. His expertise has been pivotal in developing evidence-based policies that significantly improve the quality of life for Louisville’s residents.
Throughout his career, Joshua has managed a diverse range of projects, including real estate development, violence prevention, and organizational performance improvement. As a Real Estate Coordinator, he transformed the Louisville Landbank's Sales Programs, achieving a 330% increase in property sales, saving $500,000 in demolition costs, and securing over $4.5 million in private investment for rehabilitation and new construction projects.

In his roles as Program Manager and Executive Administrator for the Office for Safe and Healthy Neighborhoods, Joshua led Louisville's inaugural Cure Violence Project. This initiative utilized a $1.5 million investment to support grassroots organizations focused on violence reduction and restorative justice, resulting in a 90% reduction in injury recidivism and the establishment of four community violence interruption sites.

As Director of Performance Improvement, Joshua and his team developed Louisville Metro Government's first maturity model, assessing the performance of 27 agencies with over 4,500 employees. This project facilitated strategic planning and the creation of evidence-based action plans to support an operating budget of $750 million.

Joshua holds a bachelor’s degree in Community Leadership Development from the University of Kentucky and a Master of Business Administration in Public Administration from Northcentral University. He is certified as a Project Management Professional (PMP), PMI-Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP), and Lean Six Sigma Green Belt. Additionally, he is a licensed Realtor in Kentucky.
His outstanding work has earned him multiple awards, including Honor Awards from the Kentucky Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) for the Produce Park and Rsquared 40212 programs, and a Special Merit Award from the Kentucky Chapter of the American Planning Association for innovative solutions addressing vacant and abandoned properties in Louisville.

Beyond his professional achievements, Joshua is deeply committed to community service. He serves as the Democratic Representative Elect for Kentucky House District 42, a Board of Trustee for the Kentucky College of Art and Design, a Board Member for the Waterfront Development Corporation, Treasurer for Friends of Waterfront Park, and President of the Louisville Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated. Additionally, Joshua is a local minister, musician, and community theater performer who enjoys cooking, reading, and being a devoted Uncle and Godfather.