Ben Davis: Making Connections, Creating Change

Ben Davis is a public relations veteran with more than 20 years of experience in nonprofit advancement. Davis currently serves as president of the Madison County Community Foundation (MCCF), where he connects local generosity and philanthropy with community needs and opportunities. 

The MCCF is an estate beneficiary centered around curating cohesive partnerships within the Madison County community. These collaborations aimed to inspire new possibilities and address local needs. By joining people together, the foundation helps to support community groups, nonprofits and fund student scholarships, distributing millions of dollars annually. 

Davis earned a bachelor's degree in journalism and public relations from Anderson University in 1997. After his freshman year, he worked in a newsroom, where he realized journalism was a niche short of his passion. This taught Davis the importance of practical experience. 

“I'm glad I had that experience. It helped me refine where I might be headed, and that's when I added the public relations specialization,” Davis said. “Being in the newsroom and doing news writing felt kind of solitary to me. I’m a very social person, so PR seemed like a better fit.”

After graduating, Davis worked at a public relations agency before accepting a marketing and PR position at a YMCA in Ohio. This decision launched a 16-year career with the organization, where he held various roles, eventually taking on the title of CEO. During that time, he also spent six years as the alumni relations director at Anderson University. 

“There hadn’t been somebody in that role for a long time, so it was a brand new opportunity to represent AU and to help people feel connected,” Davis said. “We got to be creative with that. We built a fun team, and during those six years, we redefined what it looked and felt like to engage with alumni.” 

In addition to leading the MCCF, Davis is an adjunct professor in AU’s department of communication and design arts, where he teaches introductory speech. He encourages his students to identify what they are good at, what they love and what the world needs. By reflecting on his own skills and passions, he has discovered an occupation that is both fulfilling and impactful in his community.

Cecilia López is a senior from Anderson, Indiana, majoring in public relations and minoring in cinema and media arts. López is an associate with Fifth Street Communications®, a student-run public relations agency at Anderson University.