Dr. Janine Davidson has spent her career leading at the intersection of high-stakes operations and transformative education. As the President of Metropolitan State University of Denver, she oversees one of Colorado’s largest and most diverse public institutions, where she is a relentless advocate for “holding the line on the American dream” for nearly 17,000 students.

Her leadership journey began in the cockpit as an Air Force officer and pilot, where she made history as the first woman to fly the Air Force’s tactical C-130. This foundation of service led her to the highest levels of government; she was appointed by President Obama as the 32nd Under Secretary of the U.S. Navy, managing a $170 billion budget and the well-being of nearly 900,000 personnel.

Today, Dr. Davidson remains a vital national voice on global strategy and public service. She currently chairs the Department of Defense Policy Board and serves as a life member of the Council on Foreign Relations. From breaking barriers in the sky to innovating workforce pipelines on campus, Dr. Davidson brings a unique “cockpit-to-campus” perspective on leadership, resilience, and the power of inclusive opportunity.