Sterling McDavid is the CEO and Founder of The Starling Project, which is a charitable home candle line that helps provide solar energy to impoverished communities around the world. Inspired by her work in Vietnam for UNICEF, where she is a chair on UNICEF’s Next Generation Steering Committee, McDavid left a career in finance as a financial analyst at Goldman Sachs & Co. in New York to focus her energies on a meaningful solution to help the less fortunate. The Starling Project launched in December 2015 and has already donated over $100,000 to UNICEF to fund solar energy in Chad, Africa. Learn more about Sterling by following her on Instagram and discover more about The Starling Project by visiting starlingproject.org and their Facebook page.
November 7, 2016
Interviews and Articles make it easy to learn more about the products that top our lists, what’s currently trending, and the leaders who inspire us. We are reader-supported and may earn a commission when you shop through our links.
R&S
WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT YOUR WORK
Sterling
Giving back with my business is what I love the most about the work I do with The Starling Project! I am a chair on UNICEF’s Next Generation Steering Committee, but getting to work with UNICEF on solar energy initiatives through The Starling Project is a dream! We are legitimately helping save lives, but also providing consumers with a quality product. What’s more could you wish for?!
R&S
ONE PIECE OF ADVICE YOU WOULD GIVE YOUR 18 YEAR OLD SELF
Sterling
You can make your ideas/dreams a reality! Failures are a part of the process, but they are learning experiences that help propel you forward so don’t get discouraged and keep trying until you make your dreams a reality!
View Sterling's Essentials
R&S
YOUR MOST RECENT CULINARY DISCOVERY AND OBSESSION
Sterling
Blue Apron! My fiancé and I are big foodies and we love to cook, but often don’t have the time to go to the grocery store and dig for recipes. Blue Apron has made our lives so much easier! They deliver vegetarian ingredients + recipes right to our door once a week and make it easy for us to cook!
R&S
SKINCARE PRODUCT YOU CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT
Sterling
I absolutely can’t live without Sea Silk Oil-Free Moisturizer. I am a big believer in protecting my skin from aging and this moisturizer is really the best I have found. A huge thank you to my mother who introduced me to this miracle product! She is proof it works… she is 60 going on 30!
R&S
YOUR LAST GREAT READ AND WHY YOU ENJOYED IT
Sterling
Originals by Adam Grant. Grant does an amazing job explaining how each of us can demonstrate originality in our careers and stand up for new ideas. I was beyond inspired by this read and motivated to continue championing originality.
R&S
YOU DECOMPRESS EACH DAY BY
Sterling
Doing yoga at Y7! The combination of yoga and rap music weirdly helps me decompress! I also light a Starling candle every evening. Truly so calming!
R&S
THE TREND YOU HOPE NEVER GOES OUT OF STYLE
Sterling
Black skinny jeans!
R&S
YOUR FAVORITE RESTAURANT FOR BRUNCH AND YOUR GO-TO ORDER
Sterling
My favorite place for brunch is ABC Kitchen! I am a designer after all, so eating in such a lovely restaurant that happens to be connected to one of my favorite interior design stores is ideal. Best thing to order: Buttermilk pancakes with lemon curd!
R&S
THE SKILL OR SPORT YOU’RE DYING TO LEARN
Sterling
Tennis! I am actually taking lessons currently and am determined to become good.
R&S
YOUR WHOLE DAY WAS JUST CANCELLED AND YOUR SCHEDULE IS WIDE OPEN, WHAT DO YOU DO
Sterling
I would get up early run along the Hudson, go to the Whitney Museum, walk the highline, have a picnic in Central Park and end the day with dinner and drinks at Soho House with friends!
The Latest
From Our Partners
.png&w=3840&q=75)
.png&w=3840&q=75)
.png&w=3840&q=75)
.png&w=3840&q=75)
.png&w=3840&q=75)
.png&w=3840&q=75)