The daughter of military parents, Courtney Watson spent her youth traveling extensively, with much of her upbringing being in Northern Virginia and in the Sub-Saharan country of Niger. She holds dual bachelor’s degrees from West Virginia University (2018) in Criminology (with a minor in Forensics & Investigative Sciences) and International Studies (with a minor in Slavic & East European Studies).
Committed to expanding her academic and cultural perspectives, Courtney spent her college breaks studying abroad in Switzerland and in post-communist countries, where she participated in briefings and roundtables with dignitaries from the United Nations, the Lithuanian Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Defense, and with reformed Communist Party affiliates in Romania and the Czech Republic in efforts to promote East European security and further capitalist initiatives.
Following graduation (and after a brief six-month stint in Puerto Rico), Courtney began her career on Capitol Hill, gaining nearly a decade of experience advising Members of Congress and working with the Republican National Committee. Most recently, she notably served the past four years with Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis, where she played a strategic role in maintaining a secure Republican seat representing New York City and was instrumental in securing the Congresswoman’s appointment to the House Ways & Means Committee at the start of her second term.
Throughout her career, Courtney has often been the only woman on a team or in the room—an experience she has embraced as an opportunity to champion education, communication, collaboration, and advocacy from the perspective of women in leadership.
In her current role at Independent Women, Courtney serves as the right hand to Vice President of External Relations Andi Bottner, where she works to expand outreach, strengthen relationships with supporters, lawmakers across the administration, Capitol Hill, and partner with coalitions to develop and advance policies that enhance freedom, opportunity, and well-being for all.
Outside of work, Courtney is an avid reader whose go-to meal is two cups of coffee followed by a Celsius.