REDDING, Calif.—Simpson University alumna Jenny Davidson has been named one of the 100 most “inspiring and influential women from around the world for 2018” by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).

Davidson, 50, graduated from the School of Adult Studies’ ASPIRE program in 2010 with a bachelor’s degree in organizational leadership. She is executive director and CEO of Stand Up Placer, a nonprofit organization with offices in Auburn and Roseville dedicated to helping survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and human trafficking.

Among its programs and services, Stand Up Placer runs a shelter that accepts survivors and their pets, as well as a thrift store in Roseville whose proceeds and merchandise support clients in their programs.

The BBC’s 100 Women list includes the first female Secretary General of the UN, president of the New York Stock Exchange, Australia’s first female Prime Minister, Chelsea Clinton, and scores of inspirational authors, entrepreneurs, and social activists.

Davidson is one of only eight women from the United States on the list. Under her leadership, Stand Up Placer expanded its mission to include survivors of sex trafficking. Stand Up Placer has expanded its safe house services to be gender-inclusive and pet-friendly.

Services to survivors have more than tripled in the past two years. In 2017, Stand Up Placer provided 98,975 services to Placer County. Governed by a board of directors, the organization has 45 paid staff members and more than 30 volunteers.

“I’m really humbled by this honor,” Davidson said. “I am very proud that the compassion I have cultivated has combined with the education I received at Shasta Community College, Simpson University, and Drexel University to allow me to serve survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking.”

Her education through the ASPIRE program was instrumental in helping her get to where she is today, she said.

“My degree in Organizational Leadership from Simpson University did a fantastic job of preparing me to lead this organization,” Davidson said. “Learning about disruptive social entrepreneurship, individual and team strengths, as well as psychology of social leadership introduced me to a world of knowledge that is now changing the landscape of social services in California.”

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Simpson University’s School of Adult Studies ASPIRE program has graduated nearly 4,000 North State adults through its 12- to 16-month evening and weekend degree-completion program that includes online options. ASPIRE offers degrees in organizational leadership, business management, psychology, and liberal studies. Learn more at simpsonu.edu/aspire.

Simpson University, established in 1921, is a Christian university offering undergraduate, graduate, and teaching credential programs. The university will celebrate its centennial in 2021. Simpson was named as one of the 2018 Colleges of Distinction. Academic programs include ASPIRE, a degree-completion program geared toward working adults with both on-campus and online course offerings; the Betty M. Dean School of Nursing, A.W. Tozer Seminary, the School of Education, and the School of Graduate Professional Studies. For information about the university, or to arrange a campus visit, call 1-888-9-SIMPSON or visit simpsonu.edu.