Kim Davis: A Vocal Advocate of Women's Hockey and Diversity in Sport
With a long list of achievements and the impact to match, Kim Davis remains focused on ensuring women, and those of colour, are seen, heard and supported in the sports landscape.
Kim Davis has been a Senior Managing Director, President of the JPMorgan Chase Foundation, and was named to The Business Journal’s 100 Most Influential Women and Fast Company’s 100 Most Creative People in Business. Through every role and accolade, Kim has remained a vocal advocate of diversity, equality and inclusion within sports.
“I’ve always been a proponent, throughout my entire career and my life, of women in leadership roles,” Davis said in an interview with NHL.com’s Christopher Detwiler. “And so the importance of understanding the intersection of gender, race and ethnicity as it relates to women of colour, to be able to see the representation here both as fans, as employees on and off the ice, it tells me that despite what might be appearing to be in some ways setbacks in our country and even across the globe that we should still be very encouraged by what opportunities lie in front of us for women and women of colour.”
Named the Executive Vice President, Social Impact, Growth Initiatives & Legislative Affairs for the NHL on November 27, 2017, and officially joining later that year on December 4, Kim has been working to bring more diversity to the league and create awareness through community engagement and initiatives, such as hosting the NHL Unites Pride Cup and the Hockey is for Everyone campaign and working with the Black Girl Hockey Club.
“Kim’s professional experience uniquely qualifies her to ensure that our League is continuing to improve lives and strengthen and build vibrant communities through hockey as well as provide a safe, positive and inclusive environment for anyone associated with our League,” Commissioner Gary Bettman said via league release at the time of hiring.
Kim’s list of accolades includes:
Hockey News’ 2019 & 2020 Top 100 Most Influential Leaders in the sport
Adweek’s 30 Most Powerful Women in Sports
Sports Business Journal’s GameChangers
Savoy Magazine’s Most Influential Women in Corporate America
Fast Company’s 100 Most Creative People in Business
Essence magazine’s 28 Most Influential Black Women in America (with First Lady Michelle Obama)
Sports have long remained stuck in the values and perspectives of the past, and it’s through individuals like Kim Davis that we will see meaningful change, helping to create spaces that feel more diverse and inclusive. That’s what makes Kim Davis, the NHL’s Executive Vice President, Social Impact, Growth Initiatives & Legislative Affairs, a pioneer.
To learn more, here are some resources:
Meet the woman making the NHL more inclusive - espn.com
NHL exec Davis drops puck before PWHL game, shows support for women’s hockey - nhl.com
Meet Kim Davis, The Black Woman Pushing The National Hockey League Forward - becauseofthemwecan.com