Joe Davis
Joe Davis, leader, innovator, and author
Joe Davis is a leader, innovator, and author with a deep passion for bringing teams together to tackle big challenges with real purpose. He was the Co-founder and CEO of Nanogirl Labs, a venture he led alongside his wife and business partner, Dr. Michelle Dickinson. Joe’s mission remains to democratise access to world-class education by leveraging technology, education, and entertainment to inspire, educate, and empower learners.
Joe’s leadership career spans various sectors, including software development, design, performing arts, sea rescue, automotive, and education. The common thread in his career is his focus on great people, deep culture, and a clear sense of purpose. As the CEO of Nanogirl Labs, Joe led a team of innovative educators, storytellers, and technologists who pushed the boundaries of learning. Under his leadership, Nanogirl Labs successfully created and delivered numerous best-selling edutainment properties, including books, live shows, and digital content around the globe.
Joe continues to serve as a strategic advisor to some of New Zealand’s most trusted and recognised brands, including a longstanding relationship with Toyota New Zealand, the 2024 winner of the Kantar Corporate Reputation Index. Joe is a regular consultant and facilitator to boards and executive teams across corporate, government, and non-profit sectors, focusing on future strategy, innovation, culture, and leadership.
Joe is also an experienced facilitator and energetic speaker, inspiring audiences on leadership, innovation, and building resilient teams. He addresses topics such as navigating rapid change, the impact of AI and other exponential technologies, and envisioning the future through impactful talks and real-world examples. Joe designs and facilitates high-impact workshops for clients ranging from major multinationals to government departments, corporates, and SMEs. His specialty is building a sense of co-ownership, co-creation, and deep candor, creating formats and environments that foster deep exploration of issues and the development of solutions with strong buy-in. He facilitates dozens of workshops each year and has extensive experience tackling complex issues with teams, navigating strongly held views to find a way forward. Joe is dedicated to understanding clients’ business challenges and proposing effective approaches to move things forward.
In addition to his consulting and facilitation work, Joe is the author of "Silver Linings," published by Penguin Random House. The book explores the journeys of over 100 New Zealand businesses and community leaders who thrived during the country’s COVID-19 lockdowns. The insights from the book led Joe and co-author David Downs to develop a clear thesis on what enables companies to innovate and be resilient in times of crisis.
Outside his professional career, Joe has over 20 years of experience as a sea rescue skipper in the Royal New Zealand Coastguard and has been actively involved in political campaigning and advocacy. Joe’s diverse experiences and deep commitment to purpose-driven leadership make him a dynamic and influential figure in his field.