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At CASBO Con 25, during the opening general session, CEO Tatia Davenport delivered a message that resonated with heart and humor. In a world defined by rapid change and lingering uncertainty, Tatia reminded us that there are still powerful certainties we can hold on to: that school business is an essential profession, that our work impacts students’ lives, and that what we do—though often invisible—is deeply meaningful.
To prove the point, Tatia shared a short video she recorded with her mom, Marcia Davenport. The question was simple: “What does your daughter do?”
Marcia’s response? Adorably vague—but kind of close.
“It has something to do with schools. I’m not really clear, but it has something to do with the business side. She’s the CEO of an association.”
The moment drew smiles and nods because it reflected something so familiar: even those closest to us don’t always understand the work we do. Yet, the pride in Marcia’s voice was unmistakable, showing that love and admiration don’t always require perfect understanding.
Tatia used this moment to highlight a deeper truth about our field.
“We are the people who make sure things work before people realize that it’s broken,” she said. “We stretch dollars and make sure students and teachers are successful without being in the spotlight.”
This was more than a personal anecdote—it was a call to action.
