Mikel Davis (CWR ’10) earned her Bachelor of Science in Economics (Honors) and Statistics and began her academic journey in statistics, but a game theory course taught by Professor Justin Sydnor sparked a new passion. His exploration of the intersection between psychology and economics opened a window into human decision-making that reshaped her trajectory and laid the foundation for a remarkable career in analytics.
Davis initially set her sights on pursuing a career where she could apply her passion for data and problem-solving in creative, unique spaces. Through persistence, expertise, and a strong professional network, she carved an impressive path from Accenture to the Cleveland Cavaliers, to Legendary Entertainment and ultimately to NBCUniversal—where she now shapes strategy for Peacock, NBCU’s streaming service spanning TV, film, sports, news and original programming.
As a first-generation college student, Davis navigated the academic and career landscape without the benefit of family members who had been through the process. She credits resources such as the CWRU Career Center, Summer on the Cuyahoga, the National Society of Black Engineers and the National Black MBA Association for providing the support and opportunities that helped propel her forward.
Today, she is a seasoned analytics executive with more than 15 years of experience transforming data into strategic insight across media, entertainment and telecommunications. She currently serves as vice president of strategic analytics at NBCUniversal, leading a high-impact team that informs customer strategy, long-range business planning and executive decisions for Peacock.
Since joining NBCUniversal in 2018, Davis has risen through a series of leadership roles—spanning applied analytics, consumer analytics, and enterprise strategy—where she has driven initiatives such as cross-brand audience analytics, social media intelligence and the development of NBCU’s first enterprise-wide customer data platform. Her work has been instrumental in fueling the launch and growth of Peacock by integrating on-platform behavioral data and competitive analysis to shape marketing, product, and content strategy.
Before NBCUniversal, Davis built deep analytics expertise through impactful roles at AT&T, Legendary Entertainment and the Cleveland Cavaliers. Her contributions have included reducing customer churn through advanced segmentation, informing film and television development, optimizing digital marketing campaigns, and developing pricing and packaging strategies. She began her career at Accenture, supporting large-scale analytics and systems integration projects for global clients.
Across all her roles, Davis is known for her ability to translate complex data into clear, strategic action; to build and mentor high-performing teams; and to partner with senior leaders to unlock business value. Her career reflects a passion for advancing data-driven decision-making within fast-evolving, consumer-focused industries.
Davis’s CWRU experience continues to shape her perspective. A memorable study trip to Costa Rica, where she compared healthcare outcomes between Costa Rica and the United States, sparked a personal interest in health and wellness. She is now certified in yoga and sound healing—pursuits that complement her analytical career with balance and intention. While she is unsure where her journey will take her next, she loves the work she does and looks forward with excitement and curiosity to the next chapter.
