In celebration of Women’s Day, we delve into the remarkable journey of Demetra Davis, the Chief Executive Officer of Gordavi, LLC. Join us as Demetra shares her experiences, leadership insights, and reflections on Women’s Day. Discover the unique challenges she has overcome, the women who have shaped her leadership approach, and the qualities she deems crucial for success in today’s dynamic business landscape.
Reflecting on Women’s Day: A Professional Perspective
Professionally, Women’s Day holds a special significance for Demetra Davis. It provides an opportunity to reflect on women as a collective force, beyond their roles as entrepreneurs or leaders. Women’s Day, for her, celebrates the diverse contributions made by women in various aspects of life – from those covering the homeless to those raising the next generation and starting businesses against all odds. It’s a day to smile and celebrate individual and shared achievements, fostering unity among women.
Navigating a Dynamic Career Journey
Demetra’s professional journey commenced at the age of 19 in the United States Air Force, driven by the fact that her Father was in the US Army and her older brother, in the US Air Force, she wanted to continue the family legacy. Following discharge from active duty service, Demetra went to school and completed her Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Nursing from the University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio. She determined her niche’ in nursing as case management due to her interest in helping patients and their family members in navigating the complex and convoluted health care system. Demetra went on to obtain her Master’s of Science in Health Care Administration from Columbia Southern University, AL. Additionally, she went on to obtain her certification in Case Management from the Commissiom on Case Management Certification. She still holds that certification today as well as her active Registered Nurse license.
Demetra began to have challenges both professionally and personally when she started losing her vision in her early 30s. She could tell that being in the hospital setting, with the stark lighting and the faster pace of people going passed her and the inability to see them; that her time in that setting was coming to a close. Demetra went back to school and received a Master’s of Science Degree in Nursing Education this time from Drexel University, PA. The goal: to help educate and mentor new nurses and ultimately, still contribute to this profession that had been so good to her for so many years.
Despite challenges, including vision impairment, Demetra has gone on to be recognized for her many efforts which has garnered her a Honoraary Doctorate in Humanities and an Honorary Doctorate in Advanced Studies, Business Administration.
Inspirational Women Leaders: Shaping Leadership Styles
Michelle Obama and Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg serve as significant inspirations for Demetra. Michelle Obama’s grace in the face of adversity and her commitment to family resonate deeply with Demetra. Justice Ginsburg’s fight for women’s rights and her transformative impact on gender equality have left a lasting impression on her leadership approach.
Evolving Leadership Style
Demetra’s leadership style is a dynamic blend of coaching, visionary thinking, and static transformational elements. Recognizing the importance of adaptability, she emphasizes the need to tailor leadership styles to the task at hand and the team involved. Her approach involves seeking input from the team, framing innovative ideas, and coaching team members into comfort zones for the successful implementation of transformative concepts.
Qualities for Success in the Business Landscape
In today’s business landscape, effective communication, the ability to gather diverse input, and staying attuned to changing times are crucial for leaders. Demetra highlights the importance of maintaining a customer-centric focus, emphasizing the necessity of seeking advisement and commentary from the team, and de-escalating situations with tempered speech.
Challenges and Opportunities for Women in Technology
Demetra acknowledges the challenges women face with equality in technology, citing disparities in positions despite competency. For Gordavi Tech, being a women-owned organization, she acknowledges that this may be add an additional layer of complexity, but she also remains optimistic about overcoming obstacles and becoming a go-to company expert in the area of technology consulting and implementation.
Overcoming Challenges through Resilience
Personal challenges often spill into professional life, and Demetra emphasizes the importance of giving oneself grace. Reflecting on her struggles with interactions in the workplace, she encourages individuals to acknowledge and work on their challenges with a measurement of mercy. She underscores the significance of resilience, reminding that the battle for growth is in the mind.
Perseverance in the Face of Vision Loss
Demetra’s story of perseverance involves grappling with vision loss in her early thirties. Transitioning from acute care to pursuing higher education, she faced challenges in finding her purpose. “I went from being absolutely secure in my purpose to being unsure about what I should do in my career or if I should even have a career.” Through faith and determination, Gordavi, LLC was born, showcasing her ability to turn adversity into a successful venture.
Advice for Aspiring Women Leaders
Demetra encourages aspiring women leaders to recognize that they are already leading someone. She underscores the impact of one’s actions on those watching and emphasizes continuous learning and setting an example for the team. Leadership style, she states, is when people want to follow someone because of what is witnessed as character trait in them that actually resonates with the observer as values or goals for their own life that they aspire to have.
Celebrating Successes and Recognitions
Demetra shares her journey of learning to celebrate successes and understanding her worth. Recognizing the tendency for women to downplay achievements, she encourages self-recognition and embracing small successes. Her accolades include being named in Magnate View’s Top 5 Inspiring CEOs and receiving the 2024 IAOTP Empowered Woman of the Year.
Essential Skills for Women Leaders in 2024
In 2024, Demetra identifies negotiation skills and financial literacy as crucial for women leaders, emphasizing the importance of our leading the financial discussions. Communication skills also remain essential, challenging stereotypes and promoting a professional demeanour that goes beyond the emotional expectations or reactions that have been established for women throughout the ages.
A Legacy of Recognition and Achievement
Demetra Davis boasts an impressive list of accolades, including being recognized in Magnate View’s Top 5 Inspiring CEOs in 2024 and being honored as the 2024 IAOTP Empowered Woman of the Year. Her achievements also include being named the 2023 Top CEO of the Year by the International Association of Top Professionals and earning recognition as a Global Game Changer by Passion Vista Magazine. Additionally, she is a 2023 Marquis Who’s Who Legacy Edition 125th Ed. Inductee, a Veteran of the United States Air Force, and a published author in various genres, including poetry, inspirational anthologies, and children’s books.
