Team Members

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 and her family have lived in Watertown, MA, since 2015. Though she is a research scientist by training, Heather has focused much of the past decade on civic engagement and community building. She is deeply invested in the Watertown community. Heather served as the Chair of the Watertown Biosafety Committee from Dec 2020 to March 2022.  She is currently the Chair of the Watertown MA Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC), where she works with other SEPAC members to advise the Watertown Public Schools on current successes and challenges in special education. Heather is excited to join the Watertown Community Foundation and looks forward to contributing to WCF's work to make an impact in Watertown.   

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.