This Spelman College graduate, the granddaughter of the first black woman to receive a Ph.D. from Harvard University, has a strong resume and track record.
Before joining the NHL, Davis (second from right) was Senior Advisor at the Billie Jean King Leadership Initiative and also served as president of the JP Morgan Chase Foundation (photo, New Canaan)
It was a good way to end the season, especially if you’re the NHL’s new Executive Vice President of Social Impact, Growth Initiatives, and Legislative Affairs. That’s Kim Davis position and she couldn’t have been more pleased with the Stanley Cup finals. That’s because it was a tantalizing series between an NHL newbie (Las Vegas) and a long-struggling franchise (Washington).
Growing the sport isn’t easy, though. It requires spreading awareness of the NHL across races, nationalities, regions, ages, and sexes and–at the same time–maintaining the integrity of a fan base that loves the sport.
Having a compelling storyline is important. And that’s where a first-year expansion team, based in one of the most trafficked cities in the world, came into the picture.
The Las Vegas Golden Knights shined an exciting and progressive spotlight on the NHL. Viewers unfamiliar with hockey, but familiar with Las Vegas, tuned in by the millions to either root for or against the city. For its part, Las Vegas needed unity and purpose after experiencing a monumental tragedy–the largest mass shooting in U.S. history.
Courtesy: Twitter
And let’s not forget the Washington Capitals. Could they win the championship after so many years of trying? Well, they did. And so many loyal hockey fans were pulling for an established team to win it all.
Bottom line? Older viewers watched and new viewers tuned in. For Kim Davis, that’s at the top of her list. The question now is how to sustain momentum. And that includes educating NHL fans on changes the league has made to make teams (including all employees) more diverse and more involved in their communities.
The off-season will keep Davis busy as she involves players in the effort to reach new fans and business partners. She’s up to the task, too. This Spelman College graduate, the granddaughter of the first black woman to receive a Ph.D. from Harvard University, has a strong resume and track record.
Make no mistake about it, Kim Davis has the tools to succeed in this all-important position.
