Donn Davis

Donn Davis co-leads Revolution Growth, which invests in and helps build innovative and impactful companies.   Donn brings unique expertise having served for two decades as an operator, strategist, deal-maker, and investor in a variety of leadership roles.   Donn co-founded Revolution LLC with Steve Case in 2005.

Donn served as CEO of Exclusive Resorts LLC from 2004 to 2007.   He built Exclusive Resorts from a start-up to the #1 market leader, and defined an entirely new segment of luxury hospitality called the destination club.  Donn led Exclusive Resorts to scale with $1 billion of real estate assets and operations in 40 world-wide destinations.   His vision is reflected throughout, from designing the acclaimed residences to perfecting the consumer offering to developing the lifestyle brand.  

From 1998 to 2003, Donn was a senior executive at America Online and AOL Time Warner.  Donn served as COO and then President of the AOL Interactive Properties Group, driving the mission to expand beyond the core AOL Service with new brands and new strategies.  He led a portfolio of internet businesses that created breakthrough new products and services ranging from instant messaging to local commerce to vertical content, achieving a then-unheard of 100 million online users.

From 1992 to 1998, Donn served in numerous senior roles at Tribune Company.   He was the founder and President of Tribune Ventures, pioneering the concept of strategic corporate venture capital and delivering an overall 55% IRR.   Previously, as Senior Counsel, he structured and negotiated dozens of acquisitions and strategic partnerships in publishing, broadcasting, and digital media.   Also, at 29 years old, he was named Counsel for the beloved Chicago Cubs, and was the youngest team attorney in Major League Baseball negotiating player contracts.  

Donn started his career in 1988 as an Associate at Sidley & Austin in Chicago focused on technology and media transactions.   He received his B.S. in Finance from Miami University of Ohio in 1985 and his J.D. from University of Michigan Law School in 1988.   He created the long-running course “Real Business” and has been an adjunct professor at his alma mater.   Donn currently serves on the Board of Directors of Exclusive Resorts, Everyday Health, and Zipcar.