Jessamyn Davis is a visionary executive whose career is defined by an enduring commitment to thoughtful leadership, strategic growth, and organizational resilience. Her guiding motto—“Progress through clarity, purpose, and people”—reflects a deeply rooted belief that success is not merely the result of metrics and milestones, but the consequence of empowered teams, decisive vision, and financial stewardship. As Co-Chief Executive Officer of RIOS, a global architecture and design firm, Jessamyn has built an influential career by bridging the worlds of design, finance, and private equity, scaling companies through strategic insight and operational excellence.
Jessamyn began her journey at the intersection of finance and strategic consulting, cultivating early experience at L.E.K. Consulting where she worked on investor relations modeling, experimental design analysis for drug discovery, and energy sector innovation. Her analytical acumen and ability to simplify complex business models were immediately apparent, leading to high-profile contributions that spanned from biotechnology to media. Her tenure at L.E.K. laid the groundwork for a career marked by cross-disciplinary thinking and data-informed leadership.
Following her MBA at UCLA Anderson School of Management—where she was a Dean’s Scholar—Jessamyn transitioned into private equity, joining Corridor Capital. There, she served as Group CFO, playing a pivotal role in restructuring portfolio companies, improving profitability, and streamlining ERP implementations. Her hands-on work included turning around manufacturing processes, instituting rigorous valuation protocols, and leading financial teams across a dozen investment entities. This period solidified her reputation as a leader who not only understood numbers but who could use them to craft sustainable growth strategies across diverse sectors.
Her move to RIOS in 2015 as Chief Financial Officer marked a defining shift in her career—one where her strategic prowess would be paired with creative enterprise. At RIOS, she did far more than lead finance; she orchestrated transformation. Under her stewardship, RIOS evolved from a single-office design firm into a multinational operation spanning six offices across three continents. From Los Angeles to London and Shanghai, Jessamyn architected international expansion, executed complex tax and compliance structures, and led the firm’s 401K, risk, audit, and real estate operations. She managed all business units, including HR, IT, legal, and facilities—making her one of the rare CFOs with full-spectrum operational oversight.
In 2021, Jessamyn was appointed Co-CEO—a testament to her comprehensive impact and collaborative leadership style. As Co-CEO, she brought strategic clarity to RIOS’ multidisciplinary ambitions. She led three successive strategic planning cycles that shifted the firm from a design-only practice to a full-service architecture partner, guiding major commercial projects such as the One Beverly Hills mixed-use development and the Fox Studios master plan. Her leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic was especially defining—she led IT overhauls, secured a $2.8M PPP loan, pivoted the firm’s marketing toward life sciences, and implemented a return-to-work strategy that balanced innovation with compassion.
Notably, Jessamyn also serves as CFO of notNeutral, RIOS’ hospitality-focused product company. When she assumed financial leadership, the company had endured 20 years of losses. Within a short period, she implemented a turnaround strategy that delivered $500K in consistent annual profit. Her ability to identify latent value, motivate internal teams, and create financial systems that work—all while honoring the creative soul of the enterprise—is a hallmark of her unique leadership blend.
Her boardroom and advisory experience is just as robust. Jessamyn is an active board member with the Urban Land Institute, co-chairs its Los Angeles Membership, and serves on the UCLA Ziman Center for Real Estate board. Her involvement in these organizations reflects not only a commitment to thought leadership and community development but also a belief in the long-term value of public-private collaboration and ethical development. She has previously held governance roles with Control Devices, TrashMasters LLC, and IOP Holdings, bringing financial acumen and operational perspective to each.
Internationally, Jessamyn led RIOS’ market entry into Europe and Asia, building a profitable team across London, Shanghai, and Singapore. She developed localized go-to-market strategies, navigated regulatory environments, recruited regional office heads, and grew international revenue to $5 million in just three years. Her experience in Asia, paired with her Korean language skills, informs a culturally intelligent approach to global business—one rooted in respect, research, and relevance.
Beyond the boardroom, Jessamyn is committed to lifelong learning. She is passionate about studying Korean and continuously seeks to expand her worldview through language and cultural immersion. This pursuit mirrors her leadership philosophy—precision paired with curiosity, strategy balanced by empathy. Whether guiding a company through a pandemic, growing international subsidiaries, or mentoring the next generation of leaders, she approaches each challenge with humility, resilience, and resolve.
As a speaker and writer, Jessamyn continues to expand her influence across architecture, real estate, and private equity circles. Featured in Fast Company, IIDA, and Los Angeles Business Journal, and recognized in LA500 as one of the city’s most influential executives, she is a respected voice on urban transformation, resilient design, and executive stewardship. She was a finalist for Comerica Bank’s CEO of the Year and named a Woman of Business in 2023—recognition that reflects not only her business impact but her character and leadership presence.
Character:
Jessamyn brings unwavering integrity and composure to every professional environment. Her leadership reflects a calm, confident presence that inspires trust and fosters high-performing, values-driven teams.
Knowledge:
With deep expertise in private equity, financial modeling, and global expansion, Jessamyn approaches complex challenges with technical fluency and contextual insight. Her academic rigor and real-world experience enable her to synthesize data into actionable strategy.
Strategic:
She leads with intention, from long-range planning to succession design, always aligning business operations with broader market trends and organizational vision. Her ability to transform businesses—from profitability turnarounds to multinational expansions—demonstrates the strength of her foresight and execution.
Communication:
Jessamyn communicates with clarity and empathy, whether addressing international teams, board members, or stakeholders. Her collaborative leadership style ensures alignment, transparency, and engagement across all levels of an organization.
