NOW Awards Davia Temin 2017 "Women of Power & Influence" Award

"Davia is a trailblazer and role model, widely recognized in her field for her unmatched expertise and integrity," says Sonia Ossorio, President of NOW-NYC. "Her reputation of exceptional leadership continues to change the face and the culture of not only the marketing and crisis management industries, but also that of corporate America as a whole. Through her longtime support of women and hands-on work with organizations making a real difference in the lives of women and girls, Davia shows us all how commitment and passion can change our lives. She embodies what it means to be a woman of power and influence."

"I believe that now is the time for NOW, as it never has been before," says Temin. "As one of the early women executives in the financial industry, I am doubly honored to receive this award from an organization that has championed women's rights for 50 years. It's time for renewed and enlightened activism at all levels so that we don't lose the gains we have made, and so that we continue to embrace the economic strength, insight, and inspiration for the world that come from women's leadership."

Forging a path for women in a male-dominated industry
Prior to founding Temin and Company, a management consultancy focusing on reputation and crisis management, Temin led corporate marketing for GE Capital; Schroders; Scudder, Stevens and Clark; Citicorp Investment Bank; and Columbia Business School. Her early years in the financial services industry were at a time when few women attained leadership positions in investment banking organizations – something she wanted to change.

"What I saw during this period was that women really needed advocates for their climb up the ladder, and that we as women need to be better equipped to advocate for ourselves and for one another, as we add value to our organizations," says Temin. As a senior financial services executive, she sought to bring women up within her organization and to model the leadership traits and skills required to advance in a male-dominated industry. Temin was featured in the book Wall Street Women, which chronicled how an early generation of women managed to attain power and influence on the "Street."

Coaching executive women and helping companies develop women talent
When Temin went on to launch her own company twenty years ago, she continued her support of women by stepping into the role of "executive coach" for those on the way up the ladder, as well as advisor to companies wanting to deepen their commitment to cultivating women's talent. She coaches at the CEO level – both men and women – helping CEOs achieve peak performance, and at 1-2 levels below the CEO to help executives on the road to the C-suite develop their leadership, brand, and "executive presence."

"One of the key things we work on in these one-on-one engagements is helping executives understand, in a 360-degree way, the threats and opportunities in their career path," says Temin. "We determine how to mitigate the threats and leverage the opportunities for achievement and advancement."

Temin is also a senior advisor to several high-level corporate women's councils, and helps organizations create systems to better value their female talent and create gender parity. She speaks extensively to corporations, trade and industry associations, board directors, and nonprofit organizations, from thousand-person rooms to small groups of board members and leadership teams. Her recent presentations have addressed topics including "What You Need to Know about Raising Your Impact, Visibility, and Promotability"; "What They're Saying about You When You're Not in the Room"; "What Derails Your Success"; "Male Engagement"; and "Leveraging Social Media to Amplify Your Professional Reputation."

A columnist at Forbes.com on Reputation Matters, and a frequent contributor to The Wall Street Journal and other media for her expertise on brands, media, and crisis, Temin also runs and moderates popular CEO and corporate programs including, most recently, "What Boards Need to Know About Social Media," "How to Survive, Thrive, and Add Value During Difficult Times," "Visionary Leadership," and "Crisis Games™."

Making a mark in organizations committed to women's leadership and agency
Temin has served in governing roles across a number of influential organizations, many of which are focused on advancing women's leadership. As First Vice Chair of the Girl Scouts of the USA, where she served on the national organization's board for 9 years, Temin launched the organization's $1 billion campaign for girls. This holds particular significance for Temin, who seeks to "help girls and women's leadership from the Brownies to the presidency."

Temin was also a founding board member of The White House Project, which sought to increase women's participation in the political process, and served as chair of the board of Women's eNews. She currently serves on the Board of Managers of Swarthmore College, as Chair of India-based Video Volunteers, and on the boards or advisory boards of the Harvard Kennedy School's Women's Leadership Board; ProPublica; and The Knight-Bagehot Fellowship Program of Columbia Journalism School. Earlier in her career, Temin was chair of the board of The Mark Taylor Dance Company, The Beth Cachat Dance Company, and served as a rape counselor at, and then chaired the board of, the Women's Counseling Project at Columbia/Barnard.

NOW Awards
The annual NOW-NYC awards recognize women who have risen to the top of their industries and made substantive changes in strengthening women's rights and voice. Past honorees include Rachel Maddow, Nicole Miller, Joy Behar, and former SEC Chair Mary Jo White. "All of our honorees redefine leadership by expanding the capacity of how women change the landscape of our economy and culture," says Ossorio. "They are a beacon for all women and men who aspire to make an impact." 

About NOW
As the largest women's rights organization in the U.S., NOW shapes laws that range from promoting reproductive rights and securing economic empowerment to ending discrimination and violence against women. Having produced landmark legislation in New York State, its work sets a precedent for the rest of the country.

For more information about NOW-NYC or their 2017 Women of Power & Influence Awards, contact Trang Mar of Temin and Company at [email protected] or 212-588-8788, or Sonia Ossorio of NOW-NYC at [email protected] or 212-627-9895.

SOURCE Temin and Company, Inc.