Toastmasters International announces Shirley Davis, PhD, an award-winning global workforce expert with over 30 years of human resources and business experience, as the recipient of the organization’s 2022 Golden Gavel Award. Davis worked in a variety of senior executive roles for several Fortune 500 and Fortune 100 companies. As an international speaker, she has worked in more than 30 countries on five continents and delivers more than 100 speeches a year.
Davis is President and CEO of SDS Global Enterprises, a full-service firm that works with organizations around the world providing strategies and solutions for fostering high performing and inclusive workplace cultures. She was inducted into the Diversity and Inclusion Hall of Fame in 2021, and is a best-selling author of five books, including her newest release—the first-ever Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for Dummies book. She is also a popular author for five LinkedIn Learning leadership and DEI courses.
“Dr. Shirley Davis is a renowned expert on the topics of leadership, diversity, and inclusion,” says Matt Kinsey, Toastmasters’ International President-Elect. “As this year’s Golden Gavel recipient, she shared her valuable insight and practical tips with our members, giving them the opportunity to immediately apply those tips to their jobs and everyday lives.”
This past May, Davis was asked to write an article that was featured on the front page of Oprah Daily Live. Davis has additionally been featured on The Today Show, CBS, Fox News, CNN.com, CEOWorld, Forbes, Harvard Business Review, and Fast Company, to name a few. She was nominated for Forbes‘ 2021 50 Over 50 list, and she also serves on the National Board of the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
“It’s a tremendous honor to be recognized by Toastmasters International as the 2022 Golden Gavel Award recipient,” says Davis. “Effective leadership has never been more important than it is today and I look forward to sharing my expertise with Toastmasters’ members during my presentation.”
Davis received the award and address attendees during a presentation on Friday, Aug. 19, at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville. Davis joins an illustrious list of Golden Gavel honorees, including Dr. Kenneth H. Blanchard, Les Brown, Walter Cronkite, Stephen Covey, John C. Maxwell, Anthony Robbins, and Zig Ziglar.
