Yolanda K. Davis, SPHR, SHRM-SCP
Yolanda K. Davis, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, is the CEO of YK Davis Consulting and a nationally recognized expert in building trust-driven cultures and developing trusted leaders. With more than 30 years of Fortune 100 HR leadership experience across healthcare, academia, and oil & gas, Yolanda has seen firsthand the high cost of broken trust—lost talent, stalled initiatives, and disengaged teams. Her work is grounded in the belief that trust is not a soft skill, but a powerful competitive advantage that drives execution and results.
As the creator of the proprietary TRUST Framework—Transparency, Reliability, Understanding, Strategy, and Transformation—Yolanda partners with organizations to transform culture, lead change that sticks, and align people strategy with business outcomes. Her track record includes helping move an organization from #18 to #1 on Forbes’ Best Places to Work list, coaching C-suite leaders through complex change, and designing onboarding and talent strategies that improve engagement and retention. She is a Gallup Certified Strengths Coach, John Maxwell Certified Coach, DISC Practitioner, and holds SPHR and SHRM-SCP credentials, bringing both data-driven insight and practical execution to her work.
In addition to her consulting and fractional CHRO services, Yolanda is the author of The Trust Advantage: The Playbook for Advancing with Integrity and its companion workbook, Trust the Climb. She is also the founder of the RestoreHer Pearls Foundation, dedicated to empowering women and girls through health awareness, career development, and financial literacy. Through speaking, coaching, and advisory work, Yolanda helps leaders navigate organizational complexity with integrity, build high-performing cultures, and make trust their most valuable business asset.
• Gallup Certified Strengths Coach
• Texas Southern University
• Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to the strong example set by my mother, who was a respected leader in our community and served on an executive board. She showed me what it looks like to lead with purpose and integrity. I’m equally grateful for my father, who always reminded me that nothing beats failure if you never try—and that true influence is what creates lasting impact.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would encourage young women to lead with executive presence in every situation, regardless of their title or role. Believe in yourself and actively seek out stretch assignments—they’re where real growth happens. Those experiences will not only build confidence and credibility, but also prepare you to effectively coach and lead others.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me are service, mentorship, and personal growth. I’m passionate about mentoring others, continually learning through reading, and broadening my perspective through travel. Giving back is central to who I am, which is reflected in my volunteer work with youth groups and my role as Director of Youth at my church.