Ayanna Lee-Davis, Esq. is Lead Counsel in the Business Transactions Group of the Legal Department at FedEx Ground Package System, Inc., where she is responsible for complex domestic and international real estate negotiations and transactions and the enterprise’s general corporate and environmental matters.
Prior to joining FedEx, Ayanna was an attorney in the Real Estate Practice and the Energy, Environmental, and Utilities Practice groups of Saul Ewing LLP and Reed Smith LLP. She received a Juris Doctorate from Duquesne University School of Law, an LLM (Masters) in Environmental Law from Vermont Law School, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Legal Studies from Point Park University.
Ayanna is passionate about uplifting others to make our communities better for all. Throughout her career, she has maintained a strong commitment to service and has served in numerous capacities, including as a mentor and graduation coach for several Pittsburgh Public School students, made possible through a partnership with the African American Achievement Trust of the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh; as a pro bono attorney representing plaintiffs in Protection From Abuse cases; as a ReClaim Ambassador for the City’s North Side; as a Member on the Pennsylvania Judicial Conduct Board (Secretary); as a Director on the Board of VisitPITTSBURGH (member of the Finance Committee); and as a Trustee on the Board of Community College of Allegheny County (member of the Workforce Development Sub-Committee).
One thing Ayanna values most is her family, including her husband, Malanzo; children, Rayonna and Jose; and grandchildren, Nova, Cartier, Hendrix, and Renzo.
This year, our focus is on leadership and self-care. We asked our honorees how they incorporate self-care into their busy lives.
SELF-CARE
The demands on a corporate lawyer can be stressful and time-consuming. However, I have been able to establish a healthy work-life balance because I consistently enforce self-care practices.
I plan my professional obligations in advance so that I remain in control of my schedule. This allows me to “block” my calendar for family, traveling, and other leisure activities. I set boundaries regarding communication. I have separate cell phones for work and personal contacts and “do not disturb” timers on each during certain hours of the day. Lastly, I do not overexert myself. No matter how badly I want to assist with an initiative, if I do not have time to put forth 100% effort and add substantive value, I will not raise my hand.
These self-care practices enable me to still enjoy my career after 19 years, all while maintaining an amazing lifestyle with my family and friends.
Click the link to register: https://onyxwoman.com/2023-onyx-woman-leadership-awards-registration/
