Home: Washington, DC. Profession: Nonprofit leadership. Organization: Share Our Strength. Title: Chief Resource Development and Growth Officer. Pronouns: She/Her/Hers. Significant other: My amazing husband, Andy Davis. Alma mater: University of Alabama.
Recent recognition: Speaking with CBS News radio to share how listeners can support our No Kid Hungry campaign this holiday season and all year long. Recent professional development: Joining Chief, a private membership network focused on connecting and supporting women executive leaders. Latest contribution to others: Speaking with a great group of people participating in Georgetown University’s Social Impact Certificate program. Hobbies: Reading, watching (nearly) all sports; downtime with my people. Recent travel or adventure: A Thanksgiving trip to Europe, including Edinburgh, Liverpool and London. Last book read: The Light We Carry, by Michelle Obama.
What one word would your closest friend use to describe you? Intentional. How do you define a perfect friendship? One with equal energy exchange. Not equal every day, but equal in what we give and get from each other, in sum. How do you define an ideal business relationship? Fully invested in each other’s goals and success; willing to get into the ring on the hard parts. What is your greatest joy? Time with family and friends. How do you relieve stress? Water: the beach, sweat, a cold glass, ice in a cocktail. What is your go-to workout? HIIT. Ideally, four or five times per week. What ingredient is essential to your perfect vacation? Absorbing the culture of the place we’re in.
What was your favorite childhood toy or game? Chutes and Ladders. What book have you repeatedly read? The Noticer, by Andy Andrews. What movie have you repeatedly watched? The Big Chill. What’s prominently featured on your home or office wall? A sign reading “Choose Your ‘Tude’”. On my office wall for more than two decades. Besides your parents, who has had the greatest influence on your life? My teachers, in school and in life. What’s the best advice you received growing up? If you don’t like the situation you’re in, only you can change it. What is your go-to source of creative inspiration? A long walk. What personal circumstance has had the greatest influence on your life? Moving to Washington, DC alone in my early thirties.
What change are you working on to effect in your profession or field?
Working across our organization to move beyond transactional funding models into mission and community centered engagement and fundraising strategies.
What message do you want to send out into the world? Change can only happen with truly deep and active listening across communities. What mega-trend most concerns you? The idea that individuals with outsized influence and/or resources are best equipped to solve our thorniest problems.
Who would you like to spend an evening with, in heaven? Family members who so deeply shaped who I am today. As a kid, what did you first want to be when you grew up? A presidential speech writer. After your loved ones, what object would you first save from your burning home? As many pictures as possible. How would you choose to spend tomorrow, if you knew it was your last day on earth? With my family and friends at a beach house, telling stories, laughing, eating and drinking. What advice would you give your younger self? Trust your instincts.
Personal mission: Doubling down on my purpose. Personal motto: Our struggles determine our success. So, choose wisely. Desired epitaph: Thankful for all of it. The highs, the lows, the blessings, the setbacks, the comebacks, the love. Everything.
