Special Olympics Oregon competitors

JoAnn has a Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Engineering from Penn State University and a Master’s Degree in Industrial Engineering from Purdue University. She began her career as a development engineer with AT&T Microelectronics in Allentown, PA. and relocated to Orlando, Florida in 1989 to work for AT&T Microelectronics as senior engineer. When she left the corporation, now known as Agere Systems, in 2003, she had risen to the position of Vice President of Manufacturing with responsibility for a staff of 650. JoAnn came to the Orlando Science Center in 2003. Prior to being named president and CEO in 2009, she served as Director of Exhibits, then Vice President of Operations and Chief Operating Officer. During her time as president, the Orlando Science Center has seen tremendous growth with total attendance rising 65% over the last six years with the organization reaching over 570,000 people in 2016. JoAnn is dedicated to guiding the Orlando Science Center as a strong community partner for informal science education, family engagement and workforce development.

Her leadership focuses on addressing inactivity, injustice, intolerance and social isolation by encouraging and empowering people with intellectual disabilities to be productive citizens in their communities, which leads to a more welcoming and inclusive society for all. Davis started with Special Olympics soon after college as a local program volunteer and coach. Since then she has served in a series of leadership roles, helping create our first-ever Regional games, the 1985 Special Olympics European Games, working to build a powerful national Program as CEO of Special Olympics Ireland, and helping globalize the movement as CEO of the first Special Olympics World Summer Games held outside the US, which were the 2003 Games in Ireland. For eight years she served as President & Managing Director of Europe Eurasia. Davis is married to Julian Davis and has four children: Jonathan, Rebecca, Emma and Patrick.