Name
Julie Davis
Occupation
Financial Advisor, Round Table Advisors of Raymond James
College/University Attended
Chattanooga State and University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
Leadership
What is your favorite aspect of being a leader?
I love being able to use my talents and gifts to help others. I enjoy helping others succeed and be happy in life.
What advice do you have for women aspiring to be leaders in their field?
Surround yourself with strong, powerful women. Learn all you can from female leaders in your circle. Don’t ever let yourself feel intimidated by someone in that position, but be inspired by them. Every successful leader started out learning from someone else.
Can you name a person who has had a tremendous impact on you as a leader? Maybe someone who has been a mentor to you? Why and how did this person impact your life?
Debbie Adams, VP, Student Affairs, Chattanooga State Community College.
I met Debbie as a freshman at CSCC. Coming from a small town and an amazing home with a full time mom, I had not had much opportunity to meet women like Debbie. She was the first truly professional leader I had ever known and she taught me more about things I didn’t even know I needed than I could have ever hoped. Debbie was the example of what I knew I wanted to be one day in my professional life. I had always looked up to my Mom and hoped I would one day be half as good at parenting as she is, but Debbie opened my eyes to what I could be in the professional world as well. I continue to be inspired in completely different ways by both of these amazing women.
What do you see as the biggest challenge facing female leaders today?
Opportunity and Respect. We have to create our own opportunity and earn the respect of others which in many cases should be much more freely given.
CWLI
Approximately how many years have you been involved with CWLI and in what committees do you participate?
2 years
Vice Chair of Membership Committee 2016
Chair of Membership Committee 2017
Served on Impact Planning Committee 2 years
Served on the Search Committee to hire Holly Ashley in 2016 as new ED
What initiatives are you excited to tackle with CWLI?
I am not certain right now where 2018 will take me within the organization, however, it will be exciting whereever I land just to be part of this group of ladies.
What changes do you hope to see in the organization as it grows?
Additional smaller networking groups to begin to form deeper relationships with the larger organization
What strides do you think members can take to make more of a difference in women’s leadership issues in the local community?
Get involved! There are countless ways not only in CWLI but so many other women’s leadership groups in Chattanooga that are working toward that same goal. Just jump in and get involved, the strides will come when we all do that.
How would you best describe the benefit found in joining this organization?
Friendships, Professional relationships, personal growth, career development…The list could go on. I am a better ME because of CWLI.
Want to get to know Julie? Read her feature here.