Lotte Davis

Lotte Davis is a prominent advocate for gender equality and education, particularly focused on empowering girls in Africa. Here's an overview of her background and achievements:

Early Life and Inspiration

Lotte Davis was born in South Africa during the apartheid era.1 At the age of 10, her family moved to Canada to escape the hostility of apartheid, but the experience left a lasting impact on her.1 Growing up in South Africa made her acutely aware of racial discrimination and injustice, which shaped her future endeavors.2

Entrepreneurial Success

Davis co-founded AG Hair, a successful hair-care business, with her husband in North Vancouver.1 Over 30 years, the company grew significantly, becoming Canada's only manufacturer of professional haircare products.2

Founding One Girl Can

In 2008, leveraging her entrepreneurial success, Davis founded One Girl Can, an organization dedicated to breaking the cycle of poverty through education for girls in Africa.2 The organization's key initiatives include:

• Building and renovating schools in Kenya
• Providing scholarships for high school and university education
• Mentoring students through workshops and conferences
• Preparing young women for the job market

Impact and Achievements

Under Davis's leadership, One Girl Can has made significant strides:

• Built or fully renovated 136 buildings
• Mentored over 35,000 students through formal workshops
• Awarded over 1,000 high school and university scholarships
• Partners with 10 girls' high schools in Kenya

Recognition

Lotte Davis has received several accolades for her work:

• Winner of the 2016 YWCA Women of Distinction Award for Entrepreneurship and Innovation1
• Recipient of the 2021 BIV Influential Women in Business Award1
• Recognized as a Global Impact Honoree by the Young Presidents' Organization (YPO) in 2019 and 20211
• Canadian regional honoree for the 2021 YPO Global Impact Award2

Role in YPO

Davis has served as the Education and Gender Equality Chair of YPO's People Action Network (PAN).1 Her work with One Girl Can aligns closely with YPO's focus on making sustainable and scalable impact in areas affecting people, prosperity, peace, and the planet.2

Lotte Davis continues to be a powerful force in the fight against gender inequality, using her business acumen and passion for social change to create opportunities for girls in Africa.