Since 1988, the annual Fairfield Awards Dinner has been a true celebration of Fairfield and has raised more than $18 million for the Alumni Multicultural Scholarship Fund and other endowed scholarships.

Continuing to recognize professional achievement, outstanding leadership, and volunteer commitment to Fairfield, this year’s Fairfield Awards Dinner will honor Sheila Kearney Davidson '83.

In her role as executive vice president, chief legal officer and general counsel at the New York Life Insurance Company, Davidson leads the company's legal operations and oversees its compliance, governance, and operational risk functions.

Davidson joined New York Life in 1991 and has served in many leadership positions in legal, compliance, and administrative areas.  She was appointed to New York Life’s Executive Management Committee in January 2001.

Davidson is a member of the New York State Bar.  She serves on the boards of Fairfield University, Madison Square Park Conservancy, the Citizens Budget Commission and the Life Insurance Council of New York. She is a frequent speaker on topics such as legal and compliance best practices and diversity.

In 2018, the New York City Bar Association honored Ms. Davidson with their Diversity and Inclusion Champion Award. In 2016, the National Law Journal named Ms. Davidson one of America’s 50 Outstanding General Counsel citing her commitment to diversity.  She is the founding executive sponsor of The Women’s Initiative, New York Life’s Employee Resource Group that connects and empowers women across the company. 

Davidson graduated cum laude from Fairfield University with a BA.  She received her JD from George Washington University.

For more information on Fairfield Awards Dinner sponsorships, tickets or journal ads, please contact Anissa DeMatteo at (203) 254-4000, ext. 2115.