DBT40 Honoree: Verity Watson

Title: Lobbyist

Workplace: Ruggerio Willson & Associates

Age: 32

Verity Watson | DBT PHOTO BY LUIGI CIUFFETELLI

Verity Watson was named after her mother and grandmother – and the name “Verity,” means “truth” in Latin.
Through her work as a lobbyist at Ruggerio Willson & Associates, Watson strives to dispel misinformation and share her clients’ stories with the top lawmakers and regulators in Delaware as they shape how the state works for not only the largest employers in the state but also small businesses.

Watson sees the day-in, day-out work of her clients to improve her understanding of how they work, so she can best inform legislators, agency leaders and regulators. Through her work, she serves as a bridge for business in the Legislative Hall, helping them navigate the legislative process.

In the last legislative session alone, Watson aided a client in securing $16.4 million in state funding, and leveraging another $25 million in federal funding to fully fund reimbursement rates to support services for individuals with disabilities. In the last four years, Delaware has invested more than $40 million to this service, thanks in part to Watson’s efforts. She also assisted another client to secure $3.25 million to open the state’s first residential treatment facility for pregnant and parenting women that allows their children to stay with them.

Watson credits her team and their work as a coordinated and competitive unit, as well as extensive meetings with stakeholders and building a strong support network.

Outside the office, Watson has also served on the board of Spur Impact (the nonprofit that organizes the annual Mill Summit), First State Military Academy Charter School, and Next Generation of Southern Delaware of the Delaware Community Foundation. Through her time as board president with Next Generation, she helped raise between $15,000 and $20,000 for behavioral and mental health programs throughout the state.