Tinae Davis, MBA-HRM

I attribute my success to a combination of personal experience and strong family influence. A deeply meaningful experience involving my child has been a constant source of motivation, especially on difficult days, while my upbringing by a strong single mother and supportive grandmother instilled in me the belief that there are no limits to what I can achieve. They encouraged me to dream big, think beyond a “glass ceiling,” and stay resilient. Because of that foundation, I never imagined myself as an executive leader early in my CPS career, yet that mindset and support system ultimately made it possible for me to grow into a role where I can make a meaningful impact in my community.

The best career advice I've ever received came from a luncheon for Leadership Houston not too long ago, where the vice president for HEB was speaking. One of the things she said was, if there's not a seat for you at the table, bring a folding chair. That really stuck with me - the idea that sometimes we want to have a seat at the table and there's no room for us, or we think there's no room for us. She really focused on making room. There's no seat, bring your own, or stand up around the table. Just bring yourself to those conversations, because you never know where they may go. Sometimes you have to swing big, and you might miss, but then you may also hit.

My advice to young women entering this field is to be prepared for hard, meaningful work and to understand that you won’t change the world overnight. There will be many challenging cases, and not every day will be easy or welcoming, as people often have fears and guard themselves. It’s important to stay grounded in your “why” and remember that the bigger purpose is always the safety and well-being of children. This is not a field you enter for financial gain, but one that requires genuine passion, commitment, and heart—you have to truly want to do the work, because that dedication is what will sustain you through the most difficult moments.

The biggest challenges and opportunities in my field center around the ongoing alignment of policies and laws, which are continually evolving and directly impact how our organization operates. Another significant challenge is increasing visibility and trust within communities, as there are cultures that may be less likely to report concerns or may prefer to handle matters internally. This highlights the need for greater outreach and understanding. At the same time, there is a strong opportunity to build trust by helping communities understand that our role is to support, not to blame. While reporting to CPS or law enforcement is sometimes necessary, our primary focus is ensuring that children and non-offending caregivers receive the help, protection, and resources they need.

The values most important to me in both my work and personal life are integrity, honesty, and compassion. I believe these three principles are essential to being effective and successful in my role. It is important to have a strong sense of integrity and to consistently do the right thing, even when no one is watching, while also approaching others with genuine honesty and compassion. These values guide how I show up professionally and personally, and they are central to how I make decisions and interact with others in all aspects of my life.