Tan Kirby Davis has joined the Palmetto SC Region of the American Red Cross as the interim executive director of the Upstate SC chapter, based in Greenville. 

In this role, Davis will direct volunteers and employees in the region to ensure the Red Cross goals and mission are achieved. Reporting to the regional executive, Davis will promote an inclusive, team-based culture centered on leading and empowering volunteers. This position works with the regional board of directors, staff, volunteers, donors, media, corporations, foundations and other stakeholders in the community. The chapter serves a population of more than 1 million people. 

“Working with the Red Cross staff, volunteers and supporters is truly a gift,” Davis said. “I consider it an honor to serve in this role and look forward to continuing the great work of the Red Cross in the Upstate.” 

Davis comes to the Red Cross with more than 30 years of experience as a human resources professional, having developed initiatives in leadership development, strategic inclusion and talent management. She served in leadership roles for the former Sara Lee Corporation, in the Hanesbrands division, and was appointed as the organization’s first chief diversity strategist for a global workforce of over 20,000 employees. She served as associate director for the Diversity Strategy Consortium, whose members included Fortune 500 companies. 

She is also on the staff of Clemson University, serving as their associate director for the Tigers ADVANCE program, funded by the National Science Foundation to support the university’s commitment to gender equity in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) disciplines. 

Davis has a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology from Winston-Salem State University.  She has advanced training and certifications from the International Human Resources Executive Program at Cornell University and The Center for Creative Leadership. She is a graduate of Furman University’s Diversity Leadership Academy, an alumna of Leadership Winston-Salem and Leadership America.    

To become a Red Cross volunteer, or to make a financial contribution to Red Cross, visit www.redcross.org/SC.