Maria Davis

About Maria Davis

I design employee engagement experiences that help people feel connected, informed, and supported so they can do their best work. As Manager of Employee Engagement at JD Power, I focus on building thoughtful, data-informed initiatives that strengthen culture and improve the employee experience across the lifecycle, with particular emphasis on onboarding and early moments that matter. I partner cross-functionally with HR, IT, L&D, and business leaders to translate employee feedback into clear, actionable improvements that scale. Alongside my corporate work, I\'m the Founder of Kindling Studios, a creative wellness studio offering journaling- and art-based experiences designed to foster reflection, connection, and belonging. Through workshops, facilitation, and curriculum design, I\'ve led experiences for individuals, teams, and community groups and deepened my practice in human-centered design, facilitation, and experience creation. Across both roles, my work sits at the intersection of strategy, insight, and care. I\'m especially energized by:• Designing human-centered onboarding and engagement experiences• Using qualitative and quantitative feedback to drive meaningful change• Building recognition and appreciation programs that reinforce values• Creating systems and communications that make work feel easier, not heavierI\'m known for balancing big-picture thinking with hands-on execution, bringing structure to complex problems, and advocating for employee experiences that are both measurable and deeply human.

Experience

1. Manager, Employee Engagement

   JD Power

   Jan 2026 — Present

   Create a global employee engagement strategy that fosters connection among employees using data-driven recommendations and insights• Collaborate with key stakeholders to help identify and enhance moments that matter, taking actions to improve throughout the employee lifecycle, with special focus on improving the onboarding experience• Design and execute global employee engagement surveys (twice a year). Measure progress and success by analyzing and reporting results, gather feedback through other channels and develop action plans aligned with the purpose and values of the company• Lead global employee appreciation and recognition initiatives that enhance commitment and reinforce behaviors supportive of the JD Power culture• Activate initiatives that strengthen the employment brand and increase understanding of the company’s strategy, products, and services• Partner with the Employee Champions/Ambassadors to further engagement through collaboration and in support of agreed upon initiatives• Act as the eyes, ears, and voice of JD Power as a passionate advocate for developing exceptional employee experiences

Education

• University of Kentucky

  Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Mathematical Economics (Minor: Music)

  2011 — 2016

• The University of Texas at Dallas

  Master of Science - MS, Management Science