Fesia Davenport, Acting CEO
Los Angeles County
November 16, 2020
What motivates you to work hard?
I work hard because 10 million people are counting on me and the County to look out for them. Many are vulnerable, and most are completely unaware I even exist. They don’t need to know me, but I feel that in some ways I do know them—because I have walked the same path that many of them are traveling. County residents, particularly those in need of services, are counting on the County to deliver on the vision set forth by our Board of Supervisors: Make investments that can transform lives. Develop and support resilient communities. Realize tomorrow’s government today.
Is your glass half-full or half empty?
Throw away the glass—in this job, we drink from a fire hose! The challenges we face in government are complex and rarely coupled with easy solutions. A solution that looks far-fetched today can become tomorrow’s ideal option, depending on circumstances, creativity, and a few concessions. The current public health crisis has driven an economic downturn and exposed societal and racial/ethnic disparities that are being amplified by calls to action. Yes, 2020 is a frontrunner in the “Year to Forget” category, but I believe that these times are also ripe with opportunities to address issues around inequity and governmental inertia.
Favorite movie of all time?
Gladiator! I have also added the musical score to my playlist, for those days when I need an extra shot of inspiration before walking into the arena of balancing multiple, competing, and complex priorities.
What motivated you to enter public service?
When I was a child, my family relied on the County’s safety net to get us through tough times. I saw how the decisions and predispositions of staff could influence whether my family fell onto the safety net—or through it. After I came to work at the County myself, I was offered an opportunity to leave for a position paying far more than what I was earning. Why did I stay? Because I found purpose in my work. I believed I could “pay it forward,” becoming a positive force-multiplier in the lives of people I would likely never meet again.
What makes your County special?
Los Angeles County is spectacularly diverse, in every sense of the word. Our geography ranges from rugged mountains to 75 miles of amazing coastline, and everything in between. But our greatest asset is our residents, who speak more than 200 languages—from Arabic to Ukrainian—and are of every race, ethnicity and cultural background imaginable. Living here, it’s easy to take this kind of diversity for granted—but whenever I travel anywhere else, I’m reminded of how fortunate we are. It’s the secret of our strength, and the reason I’m proud to call Los Angeles County home.