Paula R. Collins is a prominent figure in the business and non-profit sectors, with a diverse range of experiences. She is currently the Chair of the AAA Board of Directors, a position she was elected to in May 2023. Prior to this, she served as an active board member with AAA for 12 years, including a stint as secretary from 2015 to 2017. She also chairs the board's Audit, Risk, and Compliance Committee and is a member of the boards of AAA Northern California, Nevada, and Utah (AAA NCNU) and AAA Club Partners.

In addition to her role with AAA, Collins is a certified executive coach and runs a diverse practice. She is the founder and retired CEO of WDG Ventures Inc., a real estate development company. She also serves as the President of Portfolio Real Estate Consulting.

Collins has been recognized for her influence and contributions. The San Francisco Business Times has included her in its annual list of the 100 Most Influential and in 2018, it recognized her with the Inspire Award. She has also been named to the Junior Achievement Hall of Fame, awarded the Silver SPUR by the San Francisco Planning and Urban Research Association, and honored by the National Coalition of 100 Black Women.

In terms of education, Collins graduated cum laude in urban studies from Mt. Holyoke College in Massachusetts and received her Master of City Planning from MIT.

She has also served on several other boards. She currently sits on the board of the Glide Foundation and the Advisory Board for Advance San, a business group assisting with the post-pandemic recovery of the city. She was appointed to the Presidio Trust board by President Barack Obama in 2012.