This month, the Foundation welcomed a new staff member! Jessica Davenport is serving as the Technology Administrator for Pass the Torch for Women Foundation. We asked her a few questions to get to know her better:

What are you most excited about as you start your role at Pass the Torch for Women Foundation?

I’m excited to finally bring my love of technology, research, creativity, and helping others together finally! It’s an absolute dream to be able to learn so many new technologies as well as assist with the creation of various digital assets. I’m so thrilled to be able to learn and grow with such an amazing group.

Who are your biggest female role models? What inspires you about them?

On the personal side, my best friend Kate for sure. I’ve known her for well over a decade and she has grown so much. From completing her degree to getting a job in her field to having a kid. Her tenacity and exuberance for life always amazes me. She rolls with life in a way I admire so much. On the celebrity side, Jennifer Garner. She’s an amazing actress, humanitarian, and just all around amazing person.

What are some of your personal values, and how have those influenced your career?

“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” – Maya Angelou

The above quote is a big personal value of mine. I try to bring as much laughter and kindness to my career as possible. So many people have been there and assisted me through difficult times and I try to pass that forward as much as possible. Understanding and kindness is so underrated when it comes to success! 

As a woman who works in technology, what advice do you have for young women hoping to pursue a career in tech?

The goal can always shift, but believe in yourself always. I started out in video game design and ended up realizing I loved a lot more than just that over time. My career goals have changed dramatically just as technology changes dramatically but always know your skillsets and be confident in whatever direction you set out on.

Outside of work, how do you like to spend your time?

I love writing, particularly jokes, and have a bit of an obsession with comedy. You can find me watching lots of stand-up specials on Netflix or going to see comedians. I also love creating content for the web on various platforms for fun. If I’m not doing any of the above, I’m buried in a book.