Join the Conversation for Senior Leaders

Pam Watts is the Executive Director for NIRSA: Leaders in Collegiate Recreation. A former CPA, Pam joined NIRSA in 2000, and in her tenure with the Association, she served primarily as NIRSA's second-in-command until assuming the Executive Directorship in early 2012. She works closely with the NIRSA Boards to actuate the strategic plan for NIRSA and its three subsidiaries and leads the staff team and operations at NIRSA.

Pam is a Certified Association Executive. She served as the Chair of the Council for Higher Education Management Association’s Steering Committee, on the Advisory Council for the Healthy Campus Initiative in the University of California System, and on the Advisory Board for the Institute for Wellbeing at Butler University. She has served on the Physical Activity Alliance Board as Treasurer and then President for 10 years. She currently serves on the Higher Education Consortium for Student Affairs Certification Board and on the American Council on Exercise Board.

Dr. Deb Johnson serves as Executive Director of Recreation and Well-being at UC Davis, bringing more than three decades of leadership experience in higher education. A nationally recognized advocate for inclusive leadership, staff development, and well-being, she earned her Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership from Adler University, where her research focused on Collective Healing in Higher Education and the creation of psychologically safe, purpose-driven workplace cultures.

Known for her authentic leadership style and deep commitment to student and staff growth, Deb creates environments where people feel seen, valued, and empowered to thrive.

An active member of NIRSA since 2010 and a Registry of Collegiate Recreation Sports Professional (RCRSP), Deb previously served eight years on the NIRSA Foundation Board, including a term as President. She currently serves on the Finance Committee and previously served on the Honors & Awards Committee and the Marketing Institute Planning Committee. A frequent national and international presenter, she is the recipient of the Horace Moody Award and University of Nebraska's Carl A. Donaldson Award for excellence in management.

Brian Smith is an accomplished leader in collegiate recreation, currently serving as the Senior Director of Campus Recreation at the Georgia Institute of Technology. In this capacity, he sets the strategic direction for a department focused on holistic health and wellness, leveraging recreation to enhance student well-being and academic success. Brian manages a $12+ million annual budget and oversees a massive infrastructure including a 300,000+ sq. ft. facility, an Olympic swimming pool, and multiple acres of athletic fields and courts.

With an MBA in Finance from Pepperdine University, Brian brings a sharp business-oriented approach to student engagement. His tenure at Georgia Tech has been marked by significant growth, including a $5 million budget increase through strategic revenue generation and the successful delivery of $6 million in capital projects, such as a new Esports lounge and Athletic Training Center.

Beyond his campus role, Brian is a prominent voice in the national recreation landscape. He currently serves as a Director on the NIRSA Foundation Board and has previously held leadership roles on the NIRSA Board of Directors and the Finance Committee. Prior to joining Georgia Tech, he spent over a decade at UCLA, where he secured nearly $1 million in grant funding and managed facilities, diverse competitive sports, and experiential programs. Brian also holds a B.S. in Leisure Sport Management from Elon University.

Jason is the Director of Campus Recreation at Texas State University and currently serves as the President-Elect for CAS, Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education. He began as the CAS co-director representing NIRSA, where he helped lead the development of both the E-Sports Programs and Basic Needs Program standards. Prior to joining the CAS Council, Jason chaired NIRSA’s Research and Assessment Committee and Career Development Committee.