New Board Chair

Melissa Potter Monsanto

A forerunner in creating meaningful social change through her expertise in spearheading social impact strategies and diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, Melissa Potter Monsanto has a proven track record with national non-profit organizations as well as some of the world’s largest and most influential brands. Throughout her prestigious career, Potter Monsanto has established herself as a well-respected and nationally acknowledged thought leader capable of developing innovative ideas and creative solutions.

Her current role as Vice President, Social Impact at ViacomCBS/MTV Entertainment Group (MTV, VH1, Comedy Central, CMT, Logo, Smithsonian Channel, Paramount, POP Tv, and TV Land) enables her to supervise each network’s commitment to the long-term social impact of cultural shifts in society. Overseeing the issues of Race, Identity, Culture, Equity, and Social Justice, she is known for masterfully managing moments of crisis with her signature restorative style.

Fully committed to working with mission-driven organizations, Potter Monsanto brings her talent, drive, extensive skills, and analytical focus to any organization. She has been featured and quoted in The New York Times, New York Daily News, The Washington Post and Essence Magazine, as well as others, and has been a speaker at SXSW, ImpactROI and Classy.org amongst many more. A native of New York, Potter received her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Northeastern University and Masters in Corporation Communication and Public Relations from New York University. Potter Monsanto currently resides in Mt. Vernon, New York with her husband and daughter.

New Board Member

Nicole Davis

Nicole Davis was appointed General Counsel, Department of Economic Security, in January 2019, and named Deputy Director and Chief Governance Officer in mid-2020 amidst the Global COVID19 Pandemic. Nicole is responsible for direct supervision over the DES Offices of Inspector General, Equal Opportunity, and Governance and Innovation, is the architect of the latter, and oversees all legal services rendered to or on behalf of the Department.

Nicole has been a practicing attorney for approximately 20 years. Her work spans the government and private sector representing government entities, officials, and agencies including a former Governor, State of Arizona, and two Arizona State Attorneys General.

Her professional and personal affiliations include two five-year appointments as Commissioner for the City of Phoenix Planning and Zoning Commission, former Vice Chair for the Black Chamber of Arizona, prior Presidency of the Arizona Black Bar Association, participation on the Super Bowl XLII Emerging Business Committee, membership on the U of A College of Law Board of Visitors and prior service on the Ad Hoc Selection Panel for the State Bar Leadership Institute. Nicole received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Speech Communications from California State University Northridge. She completed her Juris Doctorate at the University of Arizona and is admitted to practice law before the Arizona Supreme Court, the Arizona District Court, and the California Supreme Court. She is married and the proud mother of three.