Arianne Saxton, M.A.
Arianne Watson Saxton, M.A., She/Her, is a Fractional Chief Program Officer, freelance consultant, and community impact visionary with over 15 years of experience in the nonprofit and community-focused sector. Based in New York City, she partners with organizations to strengthen capacity, optimize resources, and expand program reach. Arianne brings a people-first approach to her work, listening attentively to clients and staff, fostering sustainable partnerships, and designing pragmatic systems and tools that drive tangible results. Her leadership is grounded in practical, results-oriented strategies and the resilience often described as “New York City grit.”
Arianne began her career in community impact through an internship and early work at Rikers Island, where she developed a deep understanding of the challenges facing underserved and justice-involved populations. Over the years, she has led projects that range from building electronic health record systems and applications to developing training programs, streamlining marketing and communication strategies, and optimizing budgets and resources. Her expertise enables organizations to operate more efficiently while serving more people effectively, transforming under-resourced programs into sustainable, high-impact initiatives.
Among her notable achievements, Arianne built an electronic health record system during COVID-19 for an agency that had lost critical client charts, preserving care for individuals, including those newly diagnosed with HIV; this system was recognized by the CDC and the New York State Department of Health. She also highlights her direct, life-changing work with individuals, such as hiring and mentoring a formerly incarcerated client through to his exoneration court date, citing these one-on-one successes as among her greatest professional and personal joys. Throughout her career, Arianne has consistently combined strategic insight, operational expertise, and a deep commitment to community impact to create lasting, positive change.
• Data Analytics Certificate
• Project Management
• Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging
• University at Albany - BA
• University at Albany - MA, Sociology
• EHR System Implementation During COVID-19
• Program Excellence Achievements
• Member of ATD (Association for Talent Development)
• NPLC
• Women's League of Science and Medicine
• Bronx Opioid Collective
• Women's League of Science and Medicine
• Circle K International
• DOHMH Sexual Health Advisory Group - (SHAG)
• Manhattan Knows Advisory Group
• International Consortium for Alternatives to Incarceration (ICATI)
• Coalition for Behavioral Health
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to the hard work, dedication, and perseverance that have guided me throughout my career. I began as an intern and quickly found my path in consulting, and over the past 15 years, I have developed a deep passion for the work I do and the positive impact it has on others. One of my proudest achievements is creating a system during COVID that supports individuals facing unjust circumstances based on their backgrounds—this system is still in use today, making a tangible difference in people’s lives. My success is also rooted in the strong educational foundation I received at the University of Albany and the values instilled in me by my Caribbean parents. Growing up and building a career in New York City required grit and resilience, qualities that have been central to achieving both professional success and meaningful impact.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is that with hard work and dedication, I have the power to make the difference that is needed today. It reminds me that impact is not just about ambition or success—it’s about using my skills and efforts to create meaningful change in the world around me.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Be bold, move with purpose, and prioritize meaningful work a philosophy shaped by her upbringing and practical experience in high-stakes community programs.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Right now, one of the biggest challenges and simultaneously one of the greatest opportunities in my field is balancing professional success with meaningful community involvement. I am deeply committed to making a difference beyond the workplace, serving as an active volunteer with POC, a nonprofit supporting people of color, and leading the Bronx Opioid Collective to address critical needs in my community. These roles allow me to leverage my skills and influence to create tangible, positive change, demonstrating that professional achievement and community impact can go hand in hand.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that are most important to me in both my work and personal life center on dedication, impact, and perseverance. I take pride in working hard and striving for excellence in my field, driven by the meaningful difference my efforts can make in the lives of others. As a woman committed to success, I am motivated not only by personal achievement but also by the opportunity to create positive outcomes for those around me, demonstrating that determination, integrity, and purpose can lead to lasting impact.
Locations
Private Company
Bronx, NY 10452