John G. Davies | Advisor on Strategic Communications

For over three decades, John G. Davies led the Baton Rouge Area Foundation, taking it from $5 million to $722 million in assets by the time he stepped down in 2022. In his time as President and CEO, BRAF granted over $550 million, and the foundation’s influence spanned far beyond financial contributions—it became a backbone of South Louisiana’s recovery after Hurricane Katrina and reshaped the state’s capital city.

Davies embraced venture capital as a vehicle to drive innovation, investing in tech-focused firms that strengthened Louisiana’s economy. This included the Foundation's investment in Cancer Focus Fund, helping advance vital cancer therapies.

Beyond finance, Davies made civic impact central to the Foundation's mission. He spearheaded downtown Baton Rouge’s revitalization, attracting over $3 billion in investments through master planning that reshaped the urban landscape. He also helped launch The Water Institute of the Gulf, positioning it as a global leader in climate adaptation research.

Through the Wilbur Marvin Foundation, which he chaired, Davies championed efforts to renew neglected areas. WMF projects reshaped Baton Rouge’s riverfront, from the 35-acre Water Campus and IBM’s riverfront development to the restoration of a riverfront downtown hotel, which catalyzed growth and drew five new hotels to the area.