Auburn CEO makes BBC list of 100 inspiring and influential women
A Placer County woman is getting international recognition.
Jenny Davidson, the CEO of Stand Up Placer, made this year's BBC list of 100 inspiring and influential women from around the world.
The statistics are staggering. Last year, Stand Up Placer helped more than 2,000 victims of domestic violence and over 400 sexual assault victims.
In the first six months of this year, they helped nearly 200 victims of human trafficking.
“It’s so vital for this area to be able to provide this kind of service,” Davidson said.
She has spent more than 20 years working with victims. Under her leadership as CEO, the nonprofit has seen major changes.
“We're really trying our best to stop it before it happens,” Davidson explained.
Stand Up Placer is now pet friendly and gender inclusive. They were also one of the first 10 organizations in the state to be designated a human trafficking victim service agency.
That local and state recognition led to the international honor.
“I’m excited to be able to have that voice,” Davidson said.
The 50-year-old CEO joins other notables on the list like former first daughter Chelsea Clinton; Stacey Cunningham, the first female president of the New York Stock Exchange; and Amina J Mohammed, the deputy secretary general of the United Nations.
“It’s definitely humbling. I’m in amazing company,” Davidson said.
The designation comes as no surprise to the staff.
“I think that it will draw attention, positive attention to what we’re doing to help with the survivors that we work for,” said Deborah Stevenson, Stand Up Placer Clinical Program manager.
Debbie Livengood knows the organization well. She's the safe house coordinator.
It's a place for victims, and it was once even her home after escaping an abusive ex-husband.
“I was able to come here and get back on my feet,” Livengood said.
Davidson is passionate about people. Her work is personal.
“I have the combination, I feel like of the heart behind it, the compassion that comes with having a lived experience,” Davidson said.
In 2005, her youngest son died after only 32 hours of life. She’s suffered four miscarriages and a divorce but persevered to get her master’s degree in her late 30s.
“My past experience has given me that heart for folks who just really need somebody to believe that this happened to them,” Davidson explained.
She said Stand Up Placer has had to turn away hundreds of victims because they didn't have the space to house them.
They plan to start a campaign next year to raise money for an expanded safe shelter so they can help more people.
The BBC hasn’t said what criteria it used to select the women who made the list. Honorees range in age from 15 to 94 and hail from more than 60 countries. The list includes leaders, trailblazers and everyday heroes.