Communication consulting team

Alison Davis
Founder and CEO

Alison sets the strategic direction for her firm, leads the development of new products and services, and provides senior counsel to clients such as The Bank of New York Mellon, CIT, Dow Corning, Hewlett-Packard, IKEA, MasterCard, Merck and Wyeth.

A sought-after speaker on communication issues, Alison has appeared at such organizations as The Arthur W. Page Society, The Conference Board, International Association of Business Communicators, The Public Relations Society of America and the Society for Human Resource Management.

She is co-author of the book, Your Attention, Please (Adams Business, 2006), and writes a weekly blog, Insights.

A former president and current member of the Council of Communication Management, an organization of 300 leading corporate communication professionals in North America, Alison is a member of the International Association of Business Communicators and The Public Relations Society of America. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Douglass College, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey.

Matt Davis
COO and Senior Communications Consultant

Matt works closely with clients to provide consulting services on Internet and intranet strategies, publication management, research and measurement and using communication vehicles effectively. He also directs Davis & Company’s internal systems, financial, web technology and creative services.

Matt has won numerous awards for his work and helped build the company’s technology, graphics and web design groups. He has led successful web projects for Aetna, J. M. Huber, Georgia-Pacific and many other organizations. In addition, Matt is a consultant who has led successful research, design and change projects for BASF, Reliant Pharmaceuticals, Wyeth and others. His knowledge of writing, corporate communication, strategic consulting and web technology provides a perspective that is unique to the industry.

Matt

David Pitre
VP, Consulting Services

David is a senior consultant and project resource for Davis & Company clients. His work in employee communication stretches from strategy to implementation and includes measurement, writing, information architecture, facilitation, training and multi-media delivery. He has developed and implemented annual communication plans, intranets, brand building programs, large change initiatives and HR programs (including compensation, benefits and pension) for many Fortune 500 companies. David is co-author of the company's latest book, How to conduct employee focus groups.

Before joining the company, David was with Direct Energy, an energy and services retailer, where he developed an internal communication function across North America. He has also worked as a Communication Consultant at Towers Perrin and Aon Consulting (two HR management consultancies).

David is a leader in the design industry—leveraging the power of visuals and design in employee communication. During his graduate research into the use of design by professional service organizations, David developed a model for companies to incorporate design thinking to improve customer and employee experiences. By considering the thoughtful design of all touchpoints with the organization—from communication to systems and processes—the experience can be managed and drive improved business results.

David holds an M.B.A., with a design management specialty, from the University of Westminster in the U.K. He also has a Bachelor of Applied Arts in Instructional Media from Ryerson University in Toronto, Canada. In his off hours, David sits on the Board of Directors of the Council of Communication Management—a network of senior communication professionals dedicated to developing the best minds in the business.

David

Kimberly Gavagan
Senior Communications Consultant

As senior communications consultant, Kimberly is responsible for providing consulting and implementation services to clients that include Sanofi-Aventis, Pfizer and Wyeth. Kimberly has successfully managed a variety of projects ranging from newsletter management to research to helping managers communicate. Though her specialty is writing, Kimberly also enjoys employee research and has moderated numerous focus groups for Davis & Company clients. Kimberly is an award-winning writer and helped co-author, How to conduct employee focus groups.

Her prior work experience includes a position as Senior Specialist of Employee Communications at Philips Electronics North America Corporation in New York City. While at Philips, she developed and implemented communication programs for the company’s 30,000 North American employees, with a special focus on human resource communications. Kimberly earned a bachelor's degree in Public Relations and Journalism from Utica College of Syracuse University.

Kimberly

Catherine Jordan
Project Director

As project director, Catherine provides consulting and implementation services to clients that include MasterCard, The Bank of New York Mellon, IKEA and Wyeth. She is a talented writer and expert communication strategist, with experience in information architecture, multi-channel delivery and measurement.

Before joining the company, Catherine was a vice president with JPMorgan Chase, where she managed enterprise technology communication and guided communication during the Bank One merger. Prior to that, Catherine had a 13-year career at Merrill Lynch, and ultimately became vice president and manager of internal communication for Merrill Lynch International.

Catherine has a bachelor's degree in International Studies and French from Manhattan College, as well as a master's degree in Corporate and Public Communications from Seton Hall University.

Catherine

Julie Weissbach
Project Director

As project director, Julie helps Davis & Company clients solve their employee communications challenges. Since joining the Client Services team in 2001, Julie has used her in-depth knowledge of design and technology to provide consulting and implementation support to a number of clients including Dow Corning, Lafarge and Merck. Julie has also participated in successful employee research, intranet and change management projects.

Julie earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Communications from Ramapo College of New Jersey and completed a Web Master Certificate Program at Fairleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey.

Julie

Liz Kuhns
Project Manager

Liz’s extensive background in marketing, internal communications and project management helps drive successful employee communication projects for Davis & Company clients such as Wyeth, Merck and BASF.  Prior to joining Davis & Company, Liz was responsible for managing a Speaker Bureau program at a pharmaceutical marketing agency. Additionally, she worked for Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, administrating projects for one of the university’s research centers.

In 2005, Liz was awarded a prestigious fellowship at Johnson & Johnson world headquarters in New Brunswick, N.J., in conjunction with Rutgers University.  In her work with the J&J Corporate Communications team, Liz assisted with the production of internal publications and helped promote the company’s partnership with the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, as well as other philanthropic programs. She holds a master’s degree in Communication and Information Studies from Rutgers University.

Liz