Overview
Tess Davis is a strategic communications leader with extensive experience designing and executing high-impact initiatives that drive organizational success. As Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives at WestEd, Davis leads agencywide efforts to align organizational goals, utilizing strategic initiatives that enhance decision-making and cultivate engagement at all levels. She blends storytelling, change management, and strategic alignment to connect people with the information they need, fostering a culture of engaged, informed, and purpose-driven action that supports the broader organizational strategy.
Davis excels in crafting comprehensive strategies and communications supporting large-scale change management, alignment of culture and values, and equity, diversity, and inclusion initiatives. Her ability to lead complex, enterprise-level transformations is rooted in a deep understanding of strategic planning and execution.
Before joining WestEd, Davis was Director of Employee Communications at Abt Global, where she was responsible for establishing a global internal communications strategy and leading the strategic communications team. Before joining Abt in 2014, Davis served as Director of Global Visibility for FHI360, enhancing global presence and engagement, and as Director of Digital Communications at the Academy for Educational Development, managing content and engagement across digital channels. Davis has won multiple awards for leadership and communications campaigns.
Education
- BS, in communication, University of Baltimore
- Professional certifications include Certified Change Management Practitioner, Prosci, and Change Leadership and Human-Centered Strategy, IDEO