Lucas M. Davis, MEd, CAE, ACC, SHRM-SCP, SPHR, ICE-CCP

Chief Executive Officer Sigma Theta Tau International 

Lucas M. Davis is a visionary leader with a passion for developing talent and transforming organizations to create meaningful social impact on a global scale. With over 15 years of executive experience, Luke has consistently leveraged his expertise in people leadership, program management, and operational excellence to spearhead award-winning initiatives and build resilient, high-performing teams.

As the Chief Executive Officer of Sigma Nursing, Luke is at the forefront of advancing the nursing profession worldwide. He is dedicated to helping associations and organizations redefine their strategies, optimize human resource practices, and enhance organizational efficiency, all while staying true to their mission and vision. His leadership is characterized by a commitment to fostering innovation, diversity, and inclusivity in every facet of the organization.

In recognition of his exceptional contributions to the field, Luke was named a 2024 Diversity Executive Leadership Program (DELP) Scholar by ASAE, The Center for Association Leadership—an honor that reflects his dedication to cultivating the next generation of leaders in association management.

Before joining Sigma Nursing, Luke served as Vice President and Chief Staff Executive of ICF Coaching Education at the International Coaching Federation, where he played a pivotal role in elevating professional standards for a global network of coaches. His dedication to leadership development extends to academia, where he has imparted his knowledge as an adjunct faculty member at several esteemed colleges and universities.

Luke's academic credentials include a bachelor’s degree from Western Kentucky University and a master’s degree in education with a focus on Adult and Higher Education from the University of Missouri. He also holds the credentials of Certified Association Executive (CAE) by ASAE and The Center for Association Leadership, Associate Certified Coach (ACC) by the International Coaching Federation, Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) by the Human Resources Certification Institute, Society of Human Resources Management Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) as well as a being a Certified Credentialing Professional (ICE-CCP) by the Institute for Credentialing Excellence. Luke’s leadership journey is a testament to his unwavering dedication to empowering others and driving transformative change across the organizations he leads.

Liz Westcott, DCM, MSc, DipMan, RGN, FFNMRCSI, is a nurse of 48 years and a senior academic and leader with over 33 years of experience working within higher education, of which 15 years were at the faculty executive level. Liz is currently a Visiting Professor at Oxford Brookes University, UK, and is also an Executive Coach and a Company Director. Liz has extensive experience in academic and research staff management, leadership, financial management, management of NHS contracts, strategic planning, working collaboratively with a wide range of external stakeholders, project management, and strategic planning. She has been a coach for over 15 years. Liz is a former Europe Regional Coordinator for Sigma and a Past President of the Phi Mu Chapter in England.

In clinical practice, Liz had a career in neuroscience nursing working at The National Hospital for Nervous Diseases and Great Ormond Street, London, and the Radcliffe Infirmary, Oxford, rising to the role of Senior Nurse in neurosurgery. Liz became the first Lecturer Practitioner for neurology and neurosurgery in the United Kingdom and introduced a teaching programmer for Neurosurgery which is still the basis for teaching staff and students in the unit 30 years later.

The research Liz undertook investigating safe competency and staffing levels in Neurosurgery was used by a number of neuroscience units in the UK to inform their future safe staffing levels. Having moved to Oxford Brookes University as a Senior Lecturer, Liz gained her Doctorate in 2015. Between 2021 and 2023, Liz was honored to be the European Regional Coordinator and is a past President of Sigma’s Phi Mu Chapter in England. Liz was one of the first nurses to become an individual member of the Florence Nightingale Foundation in 2021 and is also a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland.