Kara Davis
About Kara Davis
Kara Davis serves as the Senior Director of the Office of the CIO at The Urban Institute, where she has worked since 2016. With a background in project management and user experience design, she has implemented Lean and Agile practices to enhance tech-related project coordination.
Work at Urban Institute
Kara Davis has held the position of Senior Director in the Office of the CIO at The Urban Institute since 2016. In this role, she has introduced user-centered design principles to enhance the coordination of technology-related projects. Davis has implemented Lean and Agile practices to improve planning and management processes within the office. She has also played a key role in managing communications and procurement for the Tech & Data team, contributing to the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the organization.
Previous Experience
Before joining The Urban Institute, Kara Davis worked at National Capitol Contracting, LLC as a Project Manager from 2011 to 2016. She also served as a Project Manager at Viget Labs from 2005 to 2009. Earlier in her career, she held the position of Publications and Web Coordinator at the Peterson Institute for International Economics from 1997 to 2001 and worked as Assistant Director for Web Design and Architecture at Public Broadcasting Service from 2001 to 2005. This diverse experience has contributed to her expertise in project management and technology coordination.
Education and Expertise
Kara Davis earned her Master of Science degree in Strategic Leadership Towards Sustainability from Blekinge Institute of Technology, studying from 2009 to 2010. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Relations and Sculpture from William & Mary, where she studied from 1993 to 1997. Her educational background supports her expertise in participatory design and user experience design, which she applies in her current role.
Career Progression
Kara Davis has demonstrated a clear progression in her career, transitioning from Director to Senior Director within the Office of the CIO at The Urban Institute. This advancement reflects her leadership capabilities and commitment to enhancing technology management and user experience within the organization. Her extensive background in project management and design principles has equipped her with the skills necessary for her current leadership role.