Community Highlights: Meet Dr Crystal Davis of CJD Consulting Solutions, LLC

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr Crystal Davis.

Hi Dr Crystal, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
CJD Consulting Solutions, LLC began in 2005 with a $1,000 investment from an angel investor who saw the vision for me before the world did. At the time, I had been leading and serving in higher education since 1992, and I built the company while working full time—until I transitioned to running it full time in 2008. From the beginning, CJD Consulting was founded on the principles of Servant Leadership, and that commitment remains the heartbeat of our work.
Today, CJD Consulting is an international firm delivering executive coaching, cultural transformation, and leadership development with a people-first, purpose-centered approach. Our sweet spot is working with mid-level managers—both new and seasoned—equipping them with the tools to lead authentically and effectively. But our impact spans every industry, from government and education to corporate and nonprofit sectors.
Most people assume I operate out of a big city, but CJD Consulting has trained leaders across the country (and the world) with nothing but a passport, a plane ticket, and a purpose.
Through our two platforms—CJD Consulting Solutions and the CJD Servant Leadership Academy—we have trained thousands of leaders and reshaped organizational cultures across the globe. I’ve helped over 40 doctoral candidates earn their degrees some from the first step in their journey.
Nearly two decades later, we’re still driven by the same mission: Head for Results. Heart for Service.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It hasn’t always been a smooth road. In the beginning, I wrestled with self-doubt. I knew I had the knowledge and skills that organizations needed—but I questioned whether I had enough education, credentials, or experience to teach others how to lead authentically. Impostor syndrome is real, especially for women of color stepping into leadership and entrepreneurship. On top of that, there was limited access to capital and very little mentorship. I had to figure out a lot on my own.
But over time, I realized that what I brought to the table was exactly what was missing in many organizations: a Servant Leadership mindset, a deep understanding of people, and the ability to connect strategy to heart. Those early struggles shaped how I lead today—and made me even more committed to helping others rise with confidence.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
CJD Consulting Solutions, LLC is an international leadership development firm specializing in Servant Leadership. We deliver executive coaching, professional development, and organizational training that helps leaders serve first—and lead better. What sets us apart is our heart-centered approach combined with real-world expertise. We don’t do cookie-cutter training. Everything we offer is practical, relevant, and rooted in transformational results.
We’re best known for helping new and mid-level managers build confidence, communicate effectively, and create thriving teams. That’s our niche—but we’ve trained across every industry: education, government, corporate, nonprofit, healthcare, and more. Our clients trust us to help them solve people problems with people-centered solutions.
We offer over 130 curated courses, dynamic workshops, and a fully accredited online leadership academy through the CJD Servant Leadership Academy. We’ve coached over 40 doctoral candidates to completion and helped organizations secure millions in funding through better leadership alignment.
Brand-wise, I’m most proud that our clients say we help them show up more human. More authentic. More confident. That’s the impact of Servant Leadership, and it’s the soul of our brand. At CJD Consulting, we don’t just train leaders—we transform how they lead.

Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
People see the titles—CEO, professor, consultant—but don’t always see the full story. I’m a twin (shoutout to my sister Dawn!), and growing up, my nickname was “Cricket” because I could never sit still. I was constantly organizing, assigning roles, and leading with a clipboard and big ideas—basically a mini-CEO in barrettes. In high school, I spent a bold, life-changing year as a foreign exchange student in Germany (I speak German!), which gave me a global mindset long before I ever held an international contract.
I’ve written more leadership trainings than some people have written emails (130+ and counting), and no, I don’t recycle slides. I’ve coached people through dissertations, nonprofit launches, and workplace healing—sometimes all in the same week.
What surprises people most? I’m not just motivating—I’m certifying, evaluating, and transforming leaders through accredited programs. You might catch a scripture, a Beyoncé lyric, a Buddhist chant, and a research citation all in the same keynote. Why? Because leadership is both soul and science.
And behind it all—I’m a mom, a commissioner, an author, and a glam-loving powerhouse who still cries when my clients win. I lead with faith, grit, and lashes. Let’s be real. And if that’s not enough—I also run a nonprofit called Servant Hearts, Inc., where we equip and empower youth through mentorship, leadership development, and community-driven programming. It’s grassroots, it’s purpose-filled, and it keeps me connected to the next generation of servant leaders.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.cjdconsultingsolutions.com
• Instagram: @drcrystaldavis
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lead.from.within
• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ leadfromwithin
• Other: https://www.crystaljdavis.com