Grace Under Pressure: Leah Davidge’s Journey of Trust, Resilience, and Authentic Leadership

In the ever-changing world of utilities, leaders are often tested not only by technical challenges but also by how they support people in moments of change, uncertainty, and crisis. Few embody that balance more powerfully than Leah Davidge, whose colleagues describe her as “the most creative, resilient, and emotionally intelligent communications professional” they’ve ever worked with.

Building a Leadership Foundation in Human Resources

Leah’s career began in Human Resources, a field to which she dedicated more than 20 years, most of that time spent within the utility industry. HR offered her a front-row seat to the highs and lows of people’s professional lives: promotions and new beginnings, as well as layoffs, discipline, and career endings.

“People always need the same things,” Leah reflects. “To be heard, to be seen, and to be valued.”

That daily practice of empathy and emotional intelligence became the foundation of her leadership style. Regardless of the situation, Leah learned to navigate difficult conversations with humanity while maintaining organizational integrity. It was preparation for a communications career where trust, clarity, and compassion are everything.

Communicating Through Uncertainty

Leah’s gift for turning difficult decisions into well-received communications shines brightest in times of change. One of the most defining moments of her career came during the Exelon merger with Pepco Holdings Inc. (PHI). Promoted to Senior Manager of HR at Pepco during the transition, Leah inherited a team facing enormous uncertainty.

“I knew that when you are most afraid and unsure, you need an anchor—someone steady and reliable that you can trust,” Leah says.

She focused on building trust quickly, not just with her new team but also with their outgoing leader. By honoring the previous manager’s legacy and fostering continuity, Leah provided a steady hand at a time when ambiguity threatened morale. That approach—balancing compassion with clarity—helped her team navigate a corporate merger with resilience and focus.

Navigating Male-Dominated Spaces

Today, Leah serves as Director of Gas System Operations, leading a highly technical, predominantly male workforce—an environment far different from her HR roots. Walking into a role where 85% of employees were men with deep technical expertise, Leah admits she felt nervous at first.

“I worried they would think I couldn’t handle the job,” she recalls. “But I knew I couldn’t let that consume me.”

Her strategy came down to three principles: build a strong network, be honest, and be impeccable with her words.

Leah was upfront about not being a gas expert, framing her role instead as a leader who could remove obstacles and help her team succeed. She committed to listening, learning, and ensuring her presence made their work lives better, not harder.

Equally important, she was mindful of the words she told herself. She pushed back against imposter syndrome with a reminder: “You are here for a reason. You deserve to be here. You have something to offer.” That resilience, paired with humility, has helped her earn credibility and respect in a space where women remain underrepresented.

Mentorship and Lasting Impact

For Leah, leadership is about more than guiding projects—it’s about uplifting people. She believes great mentors combine honesty with compassion, offering feedback that both challenges and supports growth. Her own career has been shaped by leaders who trusted her voice, and she strives to model the same consistency, candor, and integrity for others.

Looking ahead, Leah hopes her legacy will be one of trust and empowerment. Whether through customer communications, employee mentorship, or industry-wide leadership, her goal is to show that authenticity and humanity can thrive even in high-stakes environments.

What the SPARK Award Means

Winning the Women Who SPARK Award is deeply meaningful for Leah—not because of prestige, but because of what it represents.

“This award means I’m seen, I’m heard, and I’m valued,” she says. “Every day I’m trying my best. Some days it looks different, but it’s still my best. The award tells me my ideas, contributions, and perspective matter—that I’m meant to be in the room.”

For Leah, recognition is not about titles or accolades. It’s about making the world a little better through her work, leading with resilience, and showing others that they, too, have something important to offer.

As she leads more than 170 employees, ensures the safety of 700,000 customers, and helps redefine what leadership looks like in the utilities industry, Leah Davidge is living proof that grace under pressure isn't just a reputation—it’s a way of leading that inspires everyone around her.