At 58, Skating Her Way Into the National Hockey League

For many professionals, their late 50s signal a slowing down. For Kim Davis, it was the moment she stepped into one of the most influential roles in professional sports. Now Executive Vice President of Social Impact, Growth Initiatives, and Legislative Affairs at the National Hockey League, Davis did not follow a traditional path. She did not grow up imagining a career in hockey or even knowing a role like hers existed. What she did know from an early age was that she wanted to make an impact. That sense of purpose became the throughline of a career defined by change, leadership, and influence. And as the NHL playoffs are in full swing, check out Davis’ inspiring journey.

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A Foundation Built on Resilience

Davis credits her drive to the powerful women who came before her, especially her grandmother, who broke barriers as the first Black woman to earn a PhD from Harvard in 1939. She did so while being excluded by her peers and forced to study alone.

What stayed with Davis was not just the achievement, but the way her grandmother carried it. There was no bitterness, only purpose. She channeled her experience into teaching, community impact, and a life rooted in resilience, grit, and compassion. Those values became central to Davis’ leadership style and continue to shape how she approaches both challenges and opportunities.

Getting Comfortable with Change

Before the NHL, Davis spent more than two decades at JPMorgan Chase. She held 15 different roles and worked through nine mergers, navigating an environment where change was the only constant. One of the most important lessons from that time was learning to be comfortable with discomfort. It is a mindset that would later define her ability to pivot industries and take on entirely new challenges without hesitation.

That period also shaped her understanding of collaboration. During her years in finance, women across firms worked together to build networks and opportunities, creating relationships that have lasted for decades. Many of those women, as she notes, are still active, still contributing, and still making an impact.

The Pivot That Redefined Her Career

After 22 years in banking, Davis transitioned into consulting. It was there that she first connected with the NHL as a client. During that engagement, she made recommendations about how the league could think differently about its future, particularly in response to changing demographics. Months later, she received a call that would change everything. The NHL needed someone who could look beyond the present and help shape what came next. At 58, Davis stepped into a completely new industry and a role that did not follow a traditional path.

It was not a move driven by a job search. It was built on relationships, perspective, and the ability to see opportunities others had not yet fully defined.

Changing the Culture of the Game

At the NHL, Davis has played a key role in reshaping how the sport approaches inclusion and growth. While cost has long been cited as a barrier to entry in hockey, she pushed the conversation further, asking how the sport could become more culturally accessible. That shift has led to tangible change. The league has invested heavily in programs that introduce children to hockey, provide equipment, and create pathways into the sport. Just as important, there has been a focus on representation, ensuring that more people can see themselves reflected both on and off the ice.

The impact is already visible. The NHL recently saw the most diverse first-round draft class in its history, signaling a broader shift in who is entering the sport and how it is evolving.

A Career Still in Motion

Now almost ten years into her role at the NHL, Davis points to the receptivity of the league’s leadership as one of the most encouraging aspects of her experience. Owners and executives have embraced new ideas, recognizing that growth depends on reaching new audiences and thinking beyond traditional boundaries. Her work continues to span social impact, business strategy, and cultural transformation. It is a role that requires both vision and execution, and one that reflects the full arc of her career.

When asked about her greatest accomplishments after 50, she points to two things. Celebrating 40 years of marriage and making the decision to pivot her career at 58. Both, she notes, required commitment, courage, and a willingness to embrace change.

Looking ahead, she does not talk about retirement. She talks about continuing to contribute, to mentor, and to create impact in whatever comes next. For Kim Davis, the later chapters of her career are not a winding down. They are proof that her best work is still ahead.

“You’re Too Old For That” is a regular series that explores activities being pursued by inspiring people 50 years old and older who feel you’re never too old to do what lights you up. If you have a story to tell, let us know.

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