DRiWaterstone Assists MOST Policy Initiative with Executive Director Search
November 25, 2025 – VA-based DRiWaterstone Human Capital has assisted in the recruitment of Allison R. Davis as the new executive director of MOST Policy Initiative. “We are excited to welcome Allison as our next executive director,” said board president Katie Steen-James on behalf of the MOST executive committee. “Her experience at the intersection of research and policy is uniquely suited to meet MOST’s mission of promoting long-term health, sustainability, and economic growth for people and communities in the state. I know she will bring her passion for rural communities in Missouri and beyond to her work as well as her enthusiasm for supporting early-career researchers.”
A native Missourian, Ms. Davis brings a background in public service, research, and mentorship of early-career researchers. Most recently, she served as the executive director of the cultural property advisory committee at the U.S. Department of State. At the Department, she led a team of experts working to protect cultural property from around the world. Before the State Department, Ms. Davis carried out archaeological research in Peru for 15 years overseeing a team of archaeologists, researchers, and students. Her work in government and field research give her a unique perspective on translating skills learned in academia to the real world. Ms. Davis’ extensive experience in public sector budget and personnel management will make her an asset to MOST’s small but mighty team.
“Citizens rely on legislators to find solutions to the challenges we face and to create policies that allow us to thrive,” said Ms. Davis. “For five years, MOST has worked with Missouri lawmakers to ensure they have access to unbiased research behind a variety of policy issues. I am excited to take on the executive director position and to bring my unique background to the role, including expertise in scientific research, experience in policymaking at the federal level, and love for our state’s rural spaces, small-towns, and cities. As a native Missourian, it is a distinct pleasure to assume this role and to strengthen and expand trusted connections between scientists and lawmakers that will lead to the best possible outcomes for Missourians.”
MOST Policy Initiative is a non-profit corporation aimed at bringing scientists and policymakers together to improve livelihoods for people and communities in Missouri. The Missouri Science & Technology Policy Fellows program is the core, inaugural program under the umbrella of the MOST Policy Initiative. In 2016, MOST Policy Initiative was founded by three PhD students at the University of Missouri – Hallie Thompson, Mike Hendricks, and Rachel Owen. In 2019, MOST hired one of the co-founders, Rachel Owen, to be the full-time executive director and later transitioned the organization from the university to a standalone 501(c)(3). Since its founding, MOST has served as a consistent resource for policymakers when developing and voting on legislation that will impact their constituents.
Created through a recent merger between DRi and Waterstone Human Capital, DRiWaterstone Human Capital is a culture-centric executive search, leadership advisory, and human capital firm focused on helping mission and purpose-driven organizations across the U.S. build high performance teams and cultures. The firm’s team of talent management professionals has placed over 1,000 exceptional executives since it opened in 2001.
The firm offers executive search services focused on helping clients achieve sustainable organizational and cultural growth by finding leaders who align to the organization’s purpose, and who can help take the organization and its culture to the next level. DRiWaterstone Human Capital also offers a full portfolio of cultural talent management and leadership advisory services (including culture assessment, culture measurement, and culture curation) – to help organizations put culture at the center of strategy and drive success.
U.S. Naval Institute Search
DRiWaterstone is currently seeking a chief development officer for the U.S. Naval Institute. The U.S. Naval Institute seeks a development leader of presence and confidence with an authentic passion for the Naval Institute’s mission. The chief development officer will oversee a comprehensive development program, building strong relationships with individual, corporate, and foundation supporters to secure unrestricted, specific, endowment, and planned gifts that advance the organization’s mission.
Candidates should have non-profit fundraising experience, with a deep understanding of strategic comprehensive development. Those applying should be a relationship builder who is comfortable working with high-level individuals and making subsequent six and seven-figure asks. Candidates must also have substantial experience engaging senior leadership teams, managing staff, and developing and working with boards and volunteers. They must have deep experience with military and national security funders and an authentic passion for the Naval Institute’s mission.
Related: DRiWaterstone Human Capital Recruits CEO for the San Diego Workforce Partnership
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
