Davos: When Purpose Aligns ( Day 1)

My Daily recaps of my Davos adventure....It's Day 1 so let's take a look.

What happens when your purpose aligns? You find yourself on the other side of the world.

Day 1 of Davos came with the most welcoming experience and a courtesy shuttle ride with the most scenic view. An early morning ride with breathtaking views that reminded me I was embarking on a world of low temperatures but warm rooms filled with knowledge and exploration.

This year’s theme of “A Spirit of Dialogue” is a reminder of the transformation happening in how we work, how we live, how we produce energy, and how we partner together as human beings to preserve our most precious asset…Earth.

Inkwell Beach

After a late start touring Davos to get the lay of the land, we found ourselves at Inkwell Beach (yes, I said Beach!). The founder hosts events at major locations such as Cannes, Martha’s Vineyard, and Davos. Adrianne Smith, SVP and Senior Partner, Chief Inclusion and Impact Officer at Fleishman Hillard and Founder of Cannes Can: Diversity collective, is intentional. With a breathtaking view and visuals to match, it was a warm start to the day as we discussed the human side of the creative world.

USA House - The Sanctuary ( Let the Church speak for itself)

With approval to the USA House (still shocked about that!), I found myself networking in a church they called “The Sanctuary.” It’s the first time the U.S. has had its own house at Davos—a historic church transformed into a premier conference venue serving as the official U.S. venue and central hub for American leaders, innovators, and allies.

I had an interview with a reporter about my thoughts on the House and the U.S. presence at the event. I gave my honest answer that I am hopeful it’s a sign of progression. I made a statement that we can’t have progress if we’re not allowed in the room, and that dialogue may come with debates and disagreements—but if we land at a positive outcome, then it was worth the fight. I told him it’s best for us to remain positive. It’s what I tell the kids at home. It’s what I tell myself.

Lessons Learned in new Spaces…or Space..

Not sure what happened, but our program changed from a dialogue on crypto assets to a discussion titled “Investing in Space: Perspectives on the Future.” I thought I’d ventured into the wrong room, but little did I know I would learn a thing or two—and it would be my most interesting discussion of the day.

The moderator, Ben Smith, opened with the concept that space investment is the new railroad moment, like the 1800s—building a pathway to space and reimagining what travel could look like in the future. Space investments have become more accessible as launch costs have fallen and missions have become more predictable, with funding growing due to explorations and possibilities to leverage microgravity for enhancements in pharmaceuticals.

Yes, pharmaceuticals. Space can enable superior drug crystallization and development in microgravity—creating higher-purity compounds and more efficient crystal structures that are impossible to replicate on Earth. One of the panelists, a CEO, mentioned that space can bring benefits to life here on Earth. He made a joke that one day he hopes we will be able to see the lights on the Moon—yes, like a light switch.

What I found most fascinating is that space investing has a portion tied to national defense spending. There are strict rules for global partnerships, and the most progressive countries for space technology are Russia, the USA, China, and the new up-and-coming starter—India (for reasons including their STEM education, cost advantages, and developments in space programs).

Fascinating. You learn something new landing in the wrong room, I guess.

The Digital Economist Panel

The evening ended with The Digital Economist panel titled “From Design to Dialogue: A Spirit of Action at Davos 2026.” The discussions ranged from healthcare, AI, sustainability, and blockchain. We discussed the concept of “value exchange in our infrastructures in building the future.” One panelist mentioned our current environment is a “work in progress” or “construction”. Brining awareness that we are in a state of redistribution of global value exchange, and it’s having us rethink our own systems. We tapped into perceived value and discussed how “human empathy” is being integrated into our technology.

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In so many rooms speaking to innovation and technology, it's the human moments and experiences that matter most. Stepping into a room with purpose and discovering conversations that become new learnings…even in the moments you didn't plan for.