Alma Mater: Syracuse University
A quote or motto you live by: “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” – Maya Angelou
Throughout her illustrious 30+ year career, which includes more than 18 years at HGTV, Davis has championed diversity and inclusivity through her work leading communications and media relations for new and returning series starring BIPOC and LGBTQ+ talent. Her team’s efforts have not only generated national press coverage for these programs, but delivered millions of impressions and attracted millions of viewers. Davis also serves on Warner Bros. Discovery’s HBCU Event Committee, where she is working with her colleagues to develop a college tour series to educate students on the different careers they can pursue in media and entertainment, and is an active member of The WICT Network, NAMIC, NYWIFT and several other organizations working to mentor and empower communities.
Impact Factor: Beyond leading campaigns and championing initiatives, Davis is making a difference as a mentor to the next generation of media leaders. She not only mentors other NAMIC members but also makes herself available to junior employees within WBD who seek support and guidance.
How do you amplify the voices of others around you? It is really about making sure their ideas, contributions and perspectives are heard, valued and given space to grow. In conversations and meetings, I always credit openly by attributing ideas back to the person who shared them. It’s also important to celebrate achievements by sharing someone else’s successes publicly. And I always strive to be intentional about space and step back when appropriate, so others have the floor.
If you weren’t in this business, what career might you have pursued? If I weren’t in this business, I would have pursued a career in broadcast journalism. Storytelling, curiosity and connecting with people have always been passions of mine, and they’re also central to how I lead today.
Who or what had the biggest impact on your leadership journey? The biggest impact on my leadership journey has been my father, Philip J. Davis. As one of the architects of affirmative action legislation and among the first African Americans to enter Corporate America in the 1970s, he was a trailblazer. Throughout my life, I listened, observed and learned from the way he navigated challenges, solved problems, and, most importantly, mentored those around him. He treated everyone with dignity and respect and was deeply committed to elevating the careers of others. His example showed me that true leadership begins with empathy.