Spotlight On … Greg Davidson ’83 & Tamah Kushner ’83

Greg Davidson ’83 and Tamah Kushner ’83 enjoy their empty nest and look forward to the next life phase now that their three children (including Arik Davidson ’11) have graduated from college.

What do you love most about what you do?

Tamah: As the executive director of a synagogue, I love that I never know what is going to happen next, that I am never bored, and that I have the chance to build deep and lasting relationships.  

As a spouse and mother—33 years of marriage and 29 years of parenting—I love that I never know what is going to happen next, that I am never bored, and that I have the chance to build deep and lasting relationships.  

Greg: I love to prove cynics wrong. I love it when I can help a team see some fundamentally new path to achieve their objectives. I love it when I can help one of my employees to have their best career year ever. And I love when my contributions have been a part of something truly good for the world,  as with the upcoming launch of the James Webb Space Telescope.

How has Swarthmore shaped your career—and your life?

Tamah: Swarthmore taught me how to do a massive amount of work and to be a lifelong learner. I learned at Swarthmore that I could absorb and conquer a huge amount of material by doing it bit by bit. I find it exhilarating to be presented with a new issue or problem and learn enough about it to make it all happen. Swarthmore taught me how to break things down and learn whatever needed to be learned or researched.

Greg: Swarthmore’s liberal arts insights into how people think enabled my career in jobs that require a science or engineering degree (which I don’t have). I have been successful by applying my education to address the root causes of problems at NASA and in the aerospace industry. And personally, Ken Sharpe’s Political Theory seminar converted me from relativism to a values-based perspective, which has truly enriched my life. 

What advice would you give current Swarthmoreans hoping to follow in your path?

Tamah: Find work you value and value the work you have. Create good relationships with your colleagues—you spend a lot of time with them. Define “balance” whatever way works for you. Make sure that your use of time goes along with your values.  

Greg: The most important actions I have taken for a meaningful life have been to prioritize my relationship with Tamah and our children. Regarding careers, take conscious steps to try to love what you do, and if you cannot, then try to effect change.