A veteran of the United States Air Force Dr. Demetra Davis proudly serves as the Owner and CEO of Gordavi, LLC. During her military service, Demetra pursued nursing courses and was honorably discharged. She later earned a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing from the University of Texas, Health Science Center, and a Master’s of Science in Health Care Administration from Columbia Southern University, Alabama.
In the professional realm, Demetra is known for her intense focus, diligence, and goal-oriented approach. She describes herself as a hard worker dedicated to her objectives, driven by a profound motivation for her family’s well-being. As a visionary in the business space, Demetra attributes her innovative ideas to divine inspiration, acknowledging a higher power’s role in co-creating remarkable organizations and projects.
On a personal level, Demetra expresses a deep love for the Lord, having given her life to Christ at the age of 13 and developing a sincere relationship with Him in her 40s. She begins each day by communing with Jesus, recognizing Him as the author of her salvation and the source of all goodness in her life.
Demetra’s love extends to her daughter and two grandchildren, whom she treasures immensely. Demetra is committed to creating a secure legacy and instilling confidence in her family to navigate an ever-changing world. As an honorably discharged veteran, registered nurse, published author, entrepreneur, mother, daughter, sister, aunt, educator, coach, consultant, mentor, mentee, and friend, Demetra wears many hats. She enjoys journaling, listening to music, and singing off-key, embracing a continuous journey of self-improvement. Despite being legally blind, Demetra expresses gratitude for God’s perfect vision, noting that she’s in good hands.
Inception and Evolution
Gordavi, LLC had its beginnings in 2018 with the initial goal of creating a wedding app. Although Demetra still envisions developing the app in the future; in 2018, the full realization of the project proved challenging. During the app’s engineering phase, Demetra explored other ventures for the organization, leading to the initiation of government contracting in 2019-2020.
The company embarked on its government contracting journey by obtaining certifications as a Small Business Association Women-Owned, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned, and Minority Business Enterprise organization. Beyond government contracting, Gordavi offers a range of services, including business start-up expertise, business and technology consulting for both new and existing businesses, and professional business coaching.
When coaching clients about new start-up, Demetra sheds light on the reality of business ownership, emphasizing the initial demands of long days, significant expenses, and limited personal time. However, she also acknowledges the fulfillment that business ownership brings, emphasizing the importance of honesty about the amount of work involved to prevent surprises and potential emotional devastation that can occur with closing a business.
Gordavi’s services extend to leadership development, personality assessments aligned with emotional intelligence and leadership, policy and procedure development, and life and business coaching.
In a strategic move to meet client needs comprehensively, Gordavi introduced Gordavi Tech as a Doing Business As (DBA) entity. This addition allows Gordavi to provide technology services, partnering with industry leaders like Dell, TD Synnex, HP, Cisco, and Verizon. The goal is to offer a centralized solution for clients, eliminating the need to establish relationships with multiple entities and building trust by providing leading software, hardware, internet connectivity, privacy and web safety, cloud storage, and client-specific designed services. Gordavi can now seamlessly integrate technology into its government contracting services and consulting business while actively performing process management, integration and solution tools. In short, Gordavi aims to be a one-stop-shop for its clients.
Diverse Business Activities
Demetra discloses that currently, Gordavi operates without any full-time employees aside from herself. Instead, the company engages 1099/contracted employees for various services, tapping into experts in specific fields for tasks overseen or facilitated by herself. In the capacity as CEO, Demetra is deeply involved in the business operations, including researching and locating solicitations within Gordavi’s scope, initiating bids on contracts, reaching out to service providers, and managing the financial aspects of the company. This includes paying bills, ensuring timely tax filings, networking, marketing, coaching, and occasionally initiating additional projects.
Demetra extends services in collaboration with non-profits, offering low-cost or no-cost coaching as deemed appropriate. Notably, the organization partners with Minds of Light, Inc., led by Alison Jones, focusing on youth and adults diagnosed with Autism. The collaboration involves providing life coaching services to those diagnosed with autism to include skills to help manage their internal feeliings as related to their external surroundings or stimuli. Additionally, Gordavi collaborates with The Brother’s Heart Initiative, founded by Quinton Mostella and David Richardson. This organization, in the process of being established, works with young men in and out of the prison system to support their mental, spiritual, and reintegration needs back into society. This is performed in partnership under the non-profit Incarcerated Lives Matter, Inc, of which Demetra is President. Transitional coaching is provided to this population to discuss their current self-esteem, employment and family circumstances, as well as their future goals, and all the steps in between taking mindfulness and mental health into consideration all along the way.
Demetra places great value on giving back to the community, viewing it as a responsibility for businesses to support non-profits and owning social responsibility by incorporating it into the business strategic plan. Recognizing the invaluable work of non-profit entrepreneurs who care for individuals, and recognizing that it is these individuals who may eventually become customers, Demetra believes in actively assisting and contributing to their wellness and other needs.
Embracing Failure
“God. I could stop there but I know you are looking for more,” says Demetra.
Demetra gives the book definition of failure as not being successful and falling short of desired results. However, she emphasizes that true failure occurs when one is unsuccessful and ceases to strive for the intended goals. Despite challenges, Demetra persevered, prayed, and maintained belief when others doubted.
Acknowledging the significance of allowing days to unfold naturally and for people to be themselves, Demetra has found increased success and peace both personally and professionally. She gains guidance from her family’s entrepreneurial legacy as well as inspiration as her grandmother, mother, father, and brother all having owned their own businesses.
Demetra places high value on her faith in God and her salvation, quoting a desire to dwell in the house of the Lord throughout her life. She cherishes alone time, loyalty, kindness, measured voices, elevated expectations, goal-setting, and the absence of a set alarm. Good conversation, laughter, and quiet contentment are equally valued.
The comfort, security, and peace in her home are paramount, alongside a commitment to safety, equality, and justice in society. Demetra acknowledges her ongoing journey towards valuing herself more, learning to find satisfaction in her current state and endeavors. Above all, she treasures her daughter, grandchildren, and the profound fulfillment they bring to her heart. Expressing gratitude for the question, Demetra appreciates the opportunity to reflect on these values.
Technological Transformation in Leadership Development
Demetra highlights that the most substantial changes in leadership training, coaching, and marketing are attributed to technology. In the past, leadership development classes were typically sit-and-learn experiences, but now, remote technology enables people to learn from various locations. However, with the rise of technology, attention spans have decreased significantly, likely due to the inundation of content in short videos, around 15 seconds max in length. These videos tell complete stories that used to take up a one – hour class time. This presents a true task for trainers to keep concepts fresh, and utilize technology to its fullest by incorporating these quick videos along with on-line content, motivating music, and inspiring vignettes. Regardless of the method, Demetra adds that the responsibility to reach the target goal with the subject population still remains with the instructor.
Demetra finds that coaching has seen significant improvements, breaking free from face-to-face limitations and adopting hybrid methods that impact a broader audience. While some may argue that remote coaching is less efficient, its effectiveness is determined by the coach and client, who can evaluate whether the developed plan meets intended needs. Online coaching sessions offer features like sharing material, using interactive tools such as whiteboards and breakout sessions, and maintaining confidentiality during intimate discussions.
She believes that marketing has experienced a remarkable transformation through technology. Graphic artists can now create visually compelling designs that narrate stories through images, attracting people to businesses. Short videos, voiceovers, animations, mass emails, routine social media postings scheduled well in advance, and the use of artificial intelligence (AI) contribute to elevated marketing strategies. AI, in particular, not only aids in generating well-structured sentences and phrases but also provides the invaluable gift of time, making technology a truly wonderful creation.
A Lifelong Learner
Demetra expresses a continuous commitment to learning, describing herself as an avid reader who would have stayed in college forever if possible, adding a touch of humor with a laugh. Emphasizing the importance of networking, she recognizes it as a vital and integral aspect of organizational growth. Engaging with other leaders in conversations about strategies for fostering growth, overcoming financial challenges, sustaining or reestablishing employee satisfaction, nurturing new leaders, and exploring other pertinent leadership topics is a constant practice. Demetra believes that exchanging fresh ideas is key to keeping leadership perspectives vibrant and dynamic.
Individual Heroics vs. Team Processes
Demetra acknowledges the nuanced nature of whether organizations rely more on individual heroics or team processes, emphasizing that it genuinely depends on the organization’s context. Drawing from her experience as a registered nurse, she notes that in a hospital setting, both individual heroics and team processes play crucial roles. In critical situations, individual heroics may be necessary to save lives, akin to scenarios in professions such as law enforcement, firefighting, and the military, where individuals are recognized for their exceptional contributions.
In the context of small businesses, Demetra illustrates how both elements can coexist. For example, in sales teams, the top-performing individual may be leveraged to mentor and train new team members, creating a win/win situation. The high-performing employee continues to receive their pay, and the organization benefits from training new, quality salespeople. However, Demetra emphasizes the importance of recognizing intangible rewards and personal satisfaction that individuals may derive from their roles, ensuring that decisions consider these aspects alongside other benefits.
Growing into Leadership Roles
Demetra sees leadership as an ongoing journey rather than a destination, acknowledging that leaders, like everyone else, are human and continue to evolve. She emphasizes that leadership development is a process, and just as employees have an orientation period, leaders need time to grow into their roles. She draws a distinction between supervisors, who have direct teachable skills, and leaders, who refine their skills through practice and experience. Demetra notes that the landscape of leadership is constantly changing, with shifts in times, laws, and people, requiring leaders to continuously adapt.
Demetra highlights the importance of communication in leadership, emphasizing that effective communication is a skill that is developed over time. She underscores the significance of accountability and humility, essential qualities in leadership, which are often learned through experience.
Moreover, Demetra suggests that creativity and innovation in leadership emerge from being in diverse situations over time, where ideas can be cultivated. She emphasizes that leadership is a continuous journey of learning, adapting, and growing, creating a positive cycle where experienced leaders contribute to the development of new leaders.
Advice for First-Time Leaders
Demetra offers practical advice for individuals stepping into a leadership position for the first time. She states to take deep breaths, keep learning, stay humble, and to treat yourself with compassion and grace. Many great leaders started off as self-critical, doubtful, and questioning of their strategic decisions. Yet, they persisted. Persistence is key, and she advises not to quit, even in those perplexiing, and stressful moments.
Demetra emphasizes the value of having a mentor, underscoring that successful leaders often seek guidance from others. She highlights the importance of open communication with your mentor or coach to whom you turn to for advice and/or venting. Sharing concerns rather than letting them linger inside can contribute to both personal well-being, relief of stress, and more effective leadership.
In addition, Demetra stresses the significance of self-care. Taking breaks, spending time outdoors, and recognizing that the job is just one aspect of an individual’s multifaceted role and just one piece of a person’s life, can contribute to overall well-being and resilience in leadership roles.
