Dr. Adriene “Alex” Davis serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the Intermediary Development Corporation (IDC), bringing over two decades of transformative leadership in higher education, workforce development, and economic advancement. With a career marked by innovation, strategic vision, and a steadfast commitment to equity, Dr. Davis has built a reputation as a trusted leader and changemaker in fostering pathways from education to employment.
Appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom to the California Commission on Aging, Dr. Davis is a dedicated advocate for policies and initiatives that support older adults in achieving economic stability and meaningful engagement in society. Her leadership extends to serving on the board of the California Foundation on Aging, furthering her commitment to ensuring equitable opportunities across all stages of life.
Dr. Davis has held pivotal roles that showcase her ability to lead large-scale initiatives and drive systemic change. As the Assistant Vice Chancellor of Economic and Workforce Development for the Los Angeles Orange County Regional Consortium, she oversaw programs impacting 29 community colleges and more than 40% of students enrolled in the California Community College System. In this role, she secured and managed over $130 million in funding to develop workforce training programs and spearheaded initiatives that improved student outcomes and strengthened regional economic ecosystems. Dr. Davis also designed and implemented employer engagement strategies that brought together industry leaders, educators, and policymakers to align workforce needs with educational offerings.
Throughout her career, Dr. Davis has demonstrated a talent for integrating advanced technologies into workforce solutions. Her leadership has resulted in the launch of groundbreaking programs, such as regional coding boot camps and career technical education academies. Additionally, her work as Dean of Economic and Workforce Development at Los Angeles City College highlighted her ability to balance strategic planning with operational excellence, securing over $80 million in competitive grants during her tenure.
Dr. Davis holds an Ed.D. in Higher Education Organizational Leadership from California State University, Long Beach, and an MBA in Marketing from the University of Phoenix, complementing her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. She has been recognized with numerous awards for her contributions, including the U.S. Small Business Administration Center of Excellence Award and the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD) Excellence Award.
Under her leadership, IDC is poised to expand its impact as a premier workforce development intermediary and strategist, harnessing the power of collaboration, advanced technology, and innovative practices to create equitable career pathways for underserved populations and drive economic growth in diverse communities.