Kendra E. Davenport, MPL, CFRE, is President and CEO of Easterseals, a leading organization that makes a lasting difference in the lives of 1.5 million people each year by providing essential services to children and adults with disabilities, older adults, veterans, and their families. Kendra oversees the National Office and a federated network of 70 Affiliates whose markets cover 48 states and Washington, D.C.
For more than three decades, Kendra has been a leader and innovator in the nonprofit sector, with a consistent focus to facilitating critical services and interventions with organizations specializing in health and human services and disability rights, ensuring everyone can lead full lives.
She has managed several national development and communication portfolios, served as president of a nonprofit serving veterans’ families, and has consulted on philanthropy and communication for several national and international nonprofit organizations. Working closely with C-suite industry leaders, Kendra has designed and implemented many mutually beneficial national initiatives, helping companies forge stronger relationships with non-governmental organizations and those they serve. As philanthropy has evolved, Kendra has helped NGOs diversify their philanthropic portfolios to keep pace with change and growth by utilizing data, technology, and innovation.
Kendra has extensive management experience, having managed over 1,000 international staff across eighteen sub-Saharan countries while working for one of the largest African American-founded and led nonprofits at the time. She served as the chief development officer for a surgical nonprofit, where she led multichannel global philanthropy efforts, including domestic and international corporate fundraising, private sector grants, direct response and integrated fundraising, major gifts and planned giving, development operations, brand marketing, community engagement, special events and partnerships, and public and government relations.
She is highly regarded not only for her extensive work in the nonprofit sector and for her leadership amid change, but for her commitment to transparency, accountability, and strong focus on collaboration.
Kendra is a graduate of Georgetown University’s McCourt School of Public Policy, and serves on boards for organizations that span health, education, civil rights and social action, and economic empowerment.
