Jennifer Davenport, CPA “Being happy is learning to live with the imper fections of life.” ~Unknown

Eliminate racism, empower women and promote peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. This is the mission of the Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA), a charitable organization close to Jennifer Davenport, CPA, an audit manager with Ernst & Young LLP in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Davenport has been on the Purple Sash

Gala Committee for the YWCA, the oldest and largest multicultural women’s organization in the world, since 2013 and currently serves on its finance committee. “The opportunity to see the funds we raise

for the YWCA and the people it impacts, is priceless,” Davenport said. “Seeing the faces of these people and their will to fight and move forward from the past is truly an inspiration for all. The non-profit not only raises awareness of abuse in Oklahoma, but also assists so many women and families. It is a rewarding and inspiring journey every year.” In addition to her involvement with YWCA,

Davenport is also a classroom teacher and an investor challenge volunteer for Junior Achievement. “I choose to work with high school

students because I know they are the ones at the fork in the road wondering what they will do after high school,” Davenport said. “Knowing that I can make a difference, driving someone toward success one semester at a time, is the most important goal and the reason I enjoy volunteering through Junior Achievement so much.”

Davenport says the most pivotal moment in

her life came from spending hundreds of hours answering a suicide hotline. “Each story was different and each

phone call was impactful,” Davenport said. “Knowing I could listen and be there for someone at their darkest time was a way I felt I could assist someone. Many people who call these services simply need to talk to someone, and I was glad I could be there to help.” Jaclyn Christensen, CPA, former colleague

and assistant controller with Ascent Resources, said, “Jennifer always found time to work others into her busy schedule and never let her work product fall below the highest quality.” Davenport, an OSCPA member for three

years, earned her Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting and Bachelor of Arts in psychology from the University of Oklahoma. She is a member of the United Way of

Central Oklahoma Allocations Committee, Junior League of Norman, the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Norman Big Taste Committee and the Delta Gamma Norman Alumni Chapter. Additionally, Davenport volunteers with the

Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma and OKC Beautiful’s Litter Blitz. “Being part of the community is something

that is important to me,” Davenport said. “I am pleased to have had the opportunity to participate in a wide variety of community programs and events over the past several years.”

10 CPAFOCUS March/April 2016 Jennifer’s Trail mix

If I weren’t a CPA, I would be: An interior designer

Who was your teen crush? Freddie Prinze, Jr.

If you could speak any foreign language, what would it be? Mandarin

If you could have any animal as a pet, what would you have? A miniature pig