Tiffany C. Davis
Tiffany C. Davis is a dedicated champion of open data, with a strong commitment to aiding governments in enhancing their data practices. Her mission revolves around fostering the equitable utilization of data and evidence to address intricate challenges, with a core aim of improving the well-being of residents. With over 10 years of experience, Tiffany's extensive track record includes collaborations with numerous foundations, academic institutions, local and state governments, as well as non-profit organizations.
Through her work, she has been instrumental in cultivating enduring data practices through comprehensive training and education, consequently leading to substantial enhancements in government operations and the delivery of public services.
A Bit About Me
I currently serve as the Inaugural Director for the African Mayoral Leadership Initiative (AMALI) Data Programme at the University of Cape Town - African Centre for Cities. This recently launched, multi-year initiative is laser-focused on engaging Mayors and their teams in harnessing the power of data to monitor progress, realize legacy objectives, and enhance decision-making by establishing robust foundational data practices. Alongside a dedicated team of city data advisors, I am actively collaborating with eight African cities spanning five countries, including Ethiopia, Uganda, Zambia, Mozambique, and Tanzania. Together, we are dedicated to advancing data management practices and instilling a culture of performance management.
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I previously served as the Director of the Bloomberg Center for Government Excellence at Johns Hopkins University (GovEx). Here, I orchestrated the organization's service delivery efforts, providing invaluable technical guidance and coaching to city government executive leaders. My mission was to align mayoral and strategic priorities with data management and technological solutions, fostering efficiency, transparency, and sustainability across city departments, with the ultimate goal to deliver impactful and equitable services to residents. I also played a pivotal role in steering service delivery within the Bloomberg City Data Alliance, Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Data Track, and the City of Baltimore, offering strategic support to four mayoral administrations.
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Before my tenure at GovEx, I spearheaded various initiatives for the Maryland State Government, with a keen focus on neighborhood revitalization. Notably, I led data and performance management and grant application process for Project CORE (Creating Opportunities for Renewal and Enterprise), a monumental $100 million initiative aimed at revitalizing neighborhoods by demolishing and stabilizing vacant buildings in Baltimore City. I also played an instrumental role in improving the Maryland Department of Housing & Community Development’s data practices by implementing the agency’s Open Data Initiative and managing the agency’s StateStat program.
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A proud native of Baltimore City, I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Government & Public Policy and a Master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of Baltimore. I was honoured to be the esteemed recipient of the 2021 National Forum for Black Public Administrators (NFBPA) Steven D. Ford Memorial Award, which recognises outstanding professionalism and leadership achievements in the field of public administration. #CityForever
My Core Values
DATA
TRANSPARENCY
CONTINUOUS LEARNING
SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES
INTEGRITY
I ardently uphold the values of transparency and open data. Throughout my tenure as a public sector leader, I've acquired profound insights into the intricacies of data-driven governance, along with its associated challenges and boundless opportunities. I firmly believe that unfettered access to precise and open information is the linchpin for well-informed decision-making, cultivating trust, and reinforcing accountability. Transparency in data, when readily available, becomes a catalyst for driving positive transformations and pioneering advancements across a spectrum of priority areas, ranging from service delivery, housing, and public health. It is for these reasons that I've taken it upon myself to undertake a personal mission, collaborating with organizations that prioritize transparency and champion the ethical and responsible management and sharing of data.
In our dynamic, ever-evolving world, maintaining a leading edge in one's endeavors is paramount to achieving success. My dedication to ongoing learning enables me to broaden my knowledge reservoir, embrace new skills, and maintain a proactive stance in today's fast-paced landscape. This commitment equips me to flexibly adapt to shifting circumstances, ensuring that my leadership and guidance remain effective. Beyond that, it fuels my motivation, keeps me deeply engaged, and kindles a constant sense of enthusiasm for my work. I firmly believe that cultivating a genuine love for learning and upholding an unwavering commitment to continuous self-improvement are the cornerstones of success across any field.
I am deeply committed to the welfare of my community. It is a fundamental concern of mine that the decisions and policies we shape not only deliver immediate benefits but also safeguard the environment and promote the prosperity of our communities for generations to come. Our proactive stance involves the diligent implementation of policies and programs that are both environmentally and socially responsible, thus securing the long-term well-being of our communities and the preservation of our precious natural resources. This endeavor encompasses waste reduction, energy and water conservation, the advocacy for renewable energy sources, environmental preservation, and the cultivation of social and economic equity. In doing so, we ensure that each decision is made with a steadfast focus on the enduring legacy we leave for future generations.
It it my duty to uphold unwavering standards of integrity in all aspects of my work in the highest regard, with a steadfast commitment to inspiring confidence and fostering trust among my colleagues and clients. Recognizing that accurate and reliable data forms the bedrock upon which well-informed decisions are constructed, I am acutely aware of the far-reaching implications of any breach of integrity. Whether engaged in data collection, storage, analysis, or presentation, my unwavering dedication revolves around ensuring that my work remains characterized by transparency, honesty, and trustworthiness, reinforcing the bedrock of informed and sound decision-making.