Board Member’s Advice to STEER Students

Mark Davis played sports his whole life, he was an avid athlete involved in football, wrestling, and tennis during high school. At Dartmouth College, he played tennis and upon graduating he played competitive tennis. His love for sports was transferred to his children who are also active in athletics.?

Davis came to know STEER and the work being done through his good friends who are also involved in the organization. Davis had been involved with higher education boards and other nonprofit organizations, and when he came across STEER and the particular area of focus, he loved everything about the idea. He had not seen something that was such a high-touch program with a single-student excellence approach. Moreover, the most important aspect of the organization to Davis is the fundamental focus on a 100% high school graduation rate in areas where the average is significantly lower.?

Davis comes into STEER with a strategic background in Finance. His career experience is in investment banking, raising money, advising, and strategic planning. Very few ideas can succeed without solid financing, and often one needs money or help to do great work. Davis is intentional in grounding himself on the 100% high school graduation rate at STEER as the organization continues to grow.?

When asked to provide advice to current high school seniors he states to be sure to “dive into everything, work hard, learn as much as you can from people, professors, students and stay active!” To young professionals, he suggests asking a lot of questions carefully and humbly. He adds, “If you work hard and are the first one in and the last one out this will take you far, and it remains underrated”.??