MEET JOE
I believe the best leaders create an impact that extends beyond their organizations, shaping communities and leaving a legacy of generosity.
Leading with generosity drives results. It’s all about lifting others along the way. It takes courage and commitment to authentically connect with your team, but when you do, you will grow as a leader and a person. Your company will grow as well.
From 1987 to 2025, I had the privilege of working at Boston Consulting Group (BCG), where I served as a Managing Director and Senior Partner. Over the years, I led BCG North America, founded its Center for Inclusion and Equity, and helped shape some of the firm’s most impactful initiatives.
My journey at BCG took me around the world—from Boston to Australia and back to co-founding the Washington, DC, office in 1996. In 2008, I launched BCG’s US public sector practice. That work led to being recognized as one of Consulting Magazine’s Top 25 Consultants.
Later, I moved to San Francisco to lead BCG’s West Coast System, where I drove a fundamental business turnaround, played a key role in founding BCG Digital Ventures, and served as the BCG Executive Sponsor and Vice Chairman of B Capital Group, working alongside Eduardo Saverin and Raj Ganguly. I also had the unique opportunity to work with Bay Area leaders to bring Super Bowl 50 to San Francisco—an experience I shared in my 2013 TED Talk.
I finished my BCG career leading BCG North America where I helped found, grow and turn around many aspects of BCG’s long standing business and lead them through one of the most uncertain times, the COVID pandemic.
Now, I’m bringing my passion for leadership, collaboration, and equity to a broader audience. In my book, The Generous Leader, 7 Ways to Give of Yourself for Everyone’s Gain, I share a seven-part framework for leading with heart and fostering cultures of generosity- learnings which I briefly shared in
my 2025 TED talk.
I earned my BA in Economics from Whitman College—where I now serve as Chair of the Board of Trustees—and a MBA from Harvard Business School. More importantly, I’ve benefited from the generosity of my loving family: my wife, Sarah of over four decades, our four children, and eight grandchildren.
There is no more powerful leader than a generous leader. I plan to dedicate the rest of my life to teaching leaders to lead with their hearts. Let’s connect and talk about how we can build a more generous world together.
The work world is changing…we all know that!
This means that what it takes to inspire your staff and colleagues to drive ncredible results, is changing too.
People want and need to see the humanity in their leaders. In other words, they need to see a real person, not just a figure.
Why? Uncertainty abounds, stress driven by technology, a complete work and personal life blur…it has all happened and is only happening faster.
If you want to nurture your best talent and drive stronger outcomes, then you must learn to be a leader who gives freely of yourself to help others develop, grow and thrive. You must be a generous leader
Hear Joe Davis, a long-time BCG leader with multiple growth and turnaround experiences under his belt, share stories with actionable insights on the seven traits essential to being a generous leader.
EXPERT ON
- Leadership
- Growth
- Generosity
- Connection
- Culture
- Authenticity
- Strategy
- Influence
- Transformation
- Resilience
UNLOCKING GROWTH:
The Leadership Playbook for Transforming Teams
Learn the proven strategies that took BCG West Coast from stagnation to explosive success, growing a steady 50 year business 2.5 times in four years. Discover
how clear vision, bold decisions, and authentic leadership can unleash your team’s full potential.
AUDIENCE TAKEAWAYS:
- How to practice authentic leadership
- How generosity creates a competitive edge
- Leverage generosity to unlock unexpected opportunities and long-term success
- A vision for driving successful change
This keynote will unlock your teams’ highest value to deliver growth and profits, create buy-in that will boost morale and ignite momentum.
THE 7-PART FRAMEWORK FOR AMBITIOUS LEADERSHIP:
Driving Growth Through Generosity and Connection
In this keynote, Joe Davis shares unforgettable stories from CEOs of well-recognized companies that reveal experiences and mistakes that informed their successes. This keynote is filled with actionable takeaways that make the shift to heartfelt leadership less scary, more satisfying, and incredibly personal.
AUDIENCE TAKEAWAYS:
- Generous communication skills
- How to be a generous ally
- How to create generous moments
- How to lead with heart and strategy
- How to turn generosity into a competitive advantage
This keynote provides real-world examples, practical tools, and a fresh perspective on leadership—proving that leading with generosity is not just fulfilling but essential for long-term impact.
LEADING IN TIMES OF CRISIS AND UNCERTAINTY:
Drives Results, and Creates Opportunity in Challenging Times
Crisis and uncertainty test leadership like nothing else. When confusion, fear, and doubt creep in, teams often freeze, productivity declines, and momentum stalls. But the most effective leaders don’t just survive uncertain times—they turn them into catalysts for growth, trust, and long-term success.
In this dynamic keynote, Joe Davis introduces the 7-Part Generous Leader Framework, a proven approach to leading with authenticity, transparency, and generosity in high-stakes situations. Drawing from his experience leading BCG North America through the turbulence of COVID-19—where he drove 20+% revenue growth, peak profitability, and retained top talent at normal levels—Joe reveals how
generosity isn’t just a virtue; it’s a strategic advantage.
Through real-world examples, stories, and actionable insights, learn how to connect with your teams in the most important of moments and learn how generosity leads to bigger opportunities, deeper loyalty, and sustainable growth.
AUDIENCE TAKEAWAYS:
- Build confidence and clarity when uncertainty looms
- Strengthen trust and deepen team commitment through authenticity
- Leverage generosity to unlock unexpected opportunities and long-term success
- Build a resilient team that transforms challenges into competitive advantages
Whether you’re navigating an economic downturn, a leadership transition, or an industry disruption, this keynote will equip you with the mindset and tools to lead with impact—when it matters most.
TESTIMONIALS
Joe’s ability to distill complex concepts into actionable takeaways was particularly well-received by our attendees and I was still receiving positive feedback and “lessons in action” a month later.
Brad Nordholm
President and CEO Farmer Mac (NYSE: “AGM)
Joe’s authenticity and actionable takeaways left a lasting impression on everyone. His genuine ability to connect with such a diverse audience makes him a speaker we’d welcome back anytime.
Ben Speggen
VP Jefferson Educational Society of Erie
The Generous Leader message is a true reflection of Joe Davis’ passion and dedication to advancing people and a powerful resource for those committed to making the workplaces more purpose-driven.
Eduardo Saverin
CEO, Co-Founder, Facebook; Co-Founder and Co-CEO, B Capital
Through real-life examples, Joe Davis provides today’s leader with an actionable guide to building leadership skills that benefit everyone.
Joaquin Duato
CEO, Johnson and Johnson
