Christopher Davidson, Class of 2015

Christopher Davidson
Director of Corporate Sustainability, WestRock LLC
Richmond, VA

What is new and exciting with you now or since your time with Lead Virginia?

Since my time with Lead Virginia, the company I work for, WestRock, has seen significant growth. We’ve gone from about 40,000 employees and $15 billion in sales to 50,000+ employees and $19 billion in sales. Along with that growth, we’ve seen a substantial increase in customer interest in all aspects of sustainability from supply chain impacts, to social responsibility, to packaging innovation. So, it’s been great from a professional perspective, I’ve just been very busy.

How did Lead Virginia shape you as a leader?

Lead Virginia reinforced for me the importance of connections, and how valuable it is, both professionally and personally, to have a network of people that you trust and that you can ask for advice, bounce ideas off and openly discuss issues with. I didn’t know anyone in the class when we started in Williamsburg, but by the time graduation rolled around I had become part of a connected group of friends that I know I can reach out to and they’ll respond. 

Since Lead Virginia, how have you put your social capital to work?

I’m currently a trustee on the board of the Virginia Chapter of The Nature Conservancy (TNC). It’s an organization that I’ve supported for a number of years, because of their science-based approach to conservation, and their recognition of the value of engaging with businesses. They’ve done a lot of good work in Virginia and globally, so one of the ways I’ve put my social capital to work is by engaging some of my classmates and exposing them to the mission and staff of TNC in hopes that they’ll find it as rewarding as I do and get involved. 

What were your expectations of Lead Virginia prior to beginning the program? Did the program exceed or meet your expectations?

To tell you the truth, I wasn’t sure what to expect when I started. I’d been asked to participate by our Senior Vice President of Human Resources. I knew some of my colleagues had been through the program, but my initial impression was that Lead Virginia was focused on business, similar to an executive MBA program. From our first session in Williamsburg, I began to realize that the program had a lot more to offer. It definitely exceeded my expectations. I’ve worked to maintain the connections I made from the Class of 2015 and I hope to expand those connections to other classes.

What was your biggest takeaway or lesson learned from Lead Virginia that continues to stick with you today? 
My biggest takeaway is that our power to create positive change is greater when we recognize that our differences are benefits, not impediments. Everyone brings value to the table we just have to be willing to recognize it and work together. We may not always agree on how to solve a problem, or even if there is a problem, but if we can discuss things openly, we can find a way to work out our issues.