Kimiko Davis in the USA
In this new blog series, I’d like to ask four questions to people from different countries, backgrounds, professions, and genders who have all one thing in common: volunteering. I hope you’ll get inspired by their journeys and take the leap into volunteering.
Notice: The positions, views and information contained published here are those of the interviewee and do not necessarily represent my views or opinions.
Kimiko Davis is an organizational consultant with a degree in industrial-organizational psychology passionate about creating healthier workplaces. She specializes in helping organizations, leaders, and employees focus on their well-being through research, evaluation, and strategy.
Her drive to help others understand the importance of employee well-being and work engagement stems from a diagnosis that changed her personal and professional life forever. Because of this experience, she is working to foster healthier workplace cultures that emphasize the benefits of positive employee well-being and boost employee morale.
Website: https://www.kimikoconsulting.org/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimiko-davis
How did you begin to volunteer?
Ever since I was a child, my friends and family instilled in me the importance of giving back to the community. I first volunteered through the church packing boxes of food, toiletries, and other necessary items for the local homeless community. However, the need for volunteering time and resources didn’t stop there. I then served as a high school leader who coordinated Kid’s Day, helping raise funds to support Valley Children’s greatest needs. In addition, I was also elected Associated Student Body Philanthropist where I would coordinate several projects for high schoolers to volunteer time to giving back to the Clovis and Fresno, CA community.
Why did you continue volunteering?
Once you start volunteering, you can’t stop. Volunteering is a selfless act that benefits both the volunteer and those being served (Yeung et al., 2017). For me, I continue to volunteer with churches and specifically focus on giving back to the deaf community. Helping others without any selfish gain gives me pure joy and reminds me that my mission to create healthier workplaces is centered in helping others.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5504679/
How has volunteering helped you in your career?
Not only has volunteering helped me understand the importance of living a life dedicated to helping others, but it has also benefited me in networking opportunities. Finding other likeminded businessmen and businesswoman who believe that volunteering is essential are the kinds of clients and partners I want and enjoy working with.
Would you encourage other people to take up volunteering, and if so, why?
Volunteer, volunteer, volunteer! Putting a few hours a week, month, or year aside to give back to your community will positively change your life. Especially as a leader, understanding the importance of humility, communication, and giving power back to others will help you be a better leader.
