Today we’d like to introduce you to Gabrielle Davis.
Hi Gabrielle, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I’m a wife, mom, a disciple of Jesus, creative at heart and a communications professional with more than 20 years of experience in journalism, writing, marketing and corporate communications. I love spending time with family and friends, serving in my church and community, and expressing myself through writing. I’ve always been an old soul (thanks to my parents!) with a deep appreciation for R&B and soul music across generations. I also love a good thrift store find and a great deal. A live music festival with great shopping vendors is my happy place!
Professionally, I’ve built my career around the power of communication to connect people, tell stories and make an impact. That passion took on a new meaning in July 2009, when I was diagnosed with lupus, a chronic autoimmune disease.
What began as sharing my personal experiences grew into years of patient advocacy, allowing me to combine my professional expertise with my passion for elevating the patient perspective.
Today, I continue my advocacy primarily through my role as director of marketing and communications on the board of Inflamed Sisters Thriving (IST). Dedicated to empowering individuals living with autoimmune inflammatory conditions, IST provides a safe, supportive environment where people can connect, learn and build resilience through shared experiences. I’ve also had the privilege of serving as emcee for the organization’s annual Summit and Gala for three consecutive years. It’s where my professional skills, personal experiences and passion for advocacy come together.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Not at all! I was diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), better known as lupus, in July 2009 as a newlywed. My husband and I hadn’t even celebrated our first wedding anniversary. We were looking forward to building our life together, including starting a family, but lupus changed those plans.
As my disease progressed, I developed lupus nephritis, a complication of lupus that affects the kidneys. By 2016, my kidney function had declined to just 4%, and I had to begin dialysis. I spent more than four years on dialysis before receiving a kidney transplant in July 2021. In 2020 alone, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, I was hospitalized 16 times for various health complications. There were some incredibly difficult days, physically, mentally and emotionally.
Lupus also changed our journey to parenthood. My husband and I eventually welcomed our son, AJ, through surrogacy. He’s now seven years old, and his arrival was nothing short of a miracle. Becoming a mother was something I had hoped for, even when the circumstances made that dream seem so far away.
Receiving my kidney transplant in July 2021 gave me a new chapter in life that I’m incredibly grateful for. I don’t take for granted what it means to be on the other side of some of those darkest moments.
It’s also why patient advocacy is so personal to me. I know what it’s like to face uncertainty, to have your life interrupted by illness and to wonder what the future holds. I’m so grateful to be on the other side of those experiences, and I want the same for others navigating lupus, lupus nephritis and other autoimmune and inflammatory conditions. I want them to have access to the support, information and care that can help them live full lives beyond their diagnoses.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I currently serve as assistant corporate communications manager for an engineering consulting firm, where I oversee external and internal communications, guide content strategy and lead strategic communications initiatives that support the firm’s business objectives and brand reputation.
My foundation in journalism has been one of my greatest professional assets. It taught me to pay attention to the details, ask thoughtful questions and, perhaps most importantly, have the courage to ask the questions others may be reluctant to ask. Although my career has taken me from the newsroom into corporate communications, that journalistic instinct has never left me. I’m naturally curious, and I believe the best stories often come from digging a little deeper and understanding why something matters to the people you’re trying to reach.
I’ve also had the opportunity to apply those skills in patient advocacy. My story has been featured in Parents magazine, a WebMD documentary to name a few, and I’ve served as a writer for Health Union’s Lupus.net and ChronicKidneyDisease.net communities. I’ve worked with the Lupus Foundation of America, collaborated with pharmaceutical companies on patient-focused marketing initiatives, served in advisory roles and participated in speaking engagements where I could bring the patient perspective into conversations about healthcare and chronic illness.
One of the things I’m most proud of is being able to bring my professional experience and personal passion together through Inflamed Sisters Thriving (IST). As director of marketing and communications on the board, I help increase awareness of an organization dedicated to empowering individuals living with autoimmune inflammatory conditions. IST provides a safe, supportive environment where people can connect, learn and build resilience through shared experiences. I’ve also served as emcee for the organization’s annual Summit and Gala for three consecutive years.
What sets me apart is the combination of my journalistic background, strategic communications experience and firsthand understanding of the patient experience. I know how to tell a story, but I also understand the responsibility that comes with telling someone else’s. Whether I’m working in corporate communications or patient advocacy, my goal is to make sure the message is accurate, the story is compelling and the people behind it aren’t overlooked.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
One thing I’d love for readers to know is that no one should have to navigate a chronic illness alone. That’s why I’m so passionate about connecting people to organizations like Inflamed Sisters Thriving (IST). Whether you’re living with an autoimmune inflammatory condition, supporting someone who is, or representing a business interested in sponsorship or partnership opportunities, there’s a place for you to get involved. I encourage readers to learn more about IST and the community we’re building. Go to: inflamedsistersthriving.org
Professionally, I’m passionate about the role strategic communications plays in advancing business objectives, strengthening brand reputation and helping organizations tell their stories with clarity and purpose. I believe communications should do more than share information. It should influence how people understand an organization, build trust with its audiences.
I’m especially energized by the opportunities emerging as technology and AI change how we communicate. My journalism background has taught me that while the tools may evolve, curiosity, sound judgment and the ability to recognize a compelling story remain essential. I enjoy challenging conventional approaches, exploring new possibilities and bringing a strategic perspective to the table.
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