Her Story
Sterling McDavid is the CEO and Founder of The Starling Project, a charitable home candle line that helps provide solar energy to impoverished communities around the world. Inspired by her pro-bono work in Vietnam for UNICEF in 2013, 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.
Prior to launching The Starling Project, McDavid worked at the architecture/design firm Projectiles in Paris, France, where she refined her keen eye for design, which aided in the development of her highly curated candle collection. Having experience with some of the top perfumeries in Paris provided the ultimate inspiration for the sophisticated scents featured.
Committed to her charitable work, McDavid serves as a member New York’s UNICEF Board of Directors, a Chair of New York’s UNICEF Next Generation Steering Committee and the National Development Chair of UNICEF Next Generation. In early 2016, she was presented with the UNICEF Champion for Children Award at the annual UNICEF Children First Gala for her dedication to helping children globally. Additionally, Sterling was awarded the 2016 Bronze President’s Volunteer Service Award from President Obama. A Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, native, McDavid holds a Bachelor’s degree in Finance from The University of Texas at Austin’s McCombs School of Business and is also a graduate of New York’s Parsons School of Design.
Beyond her extensive design and philanthropic expertise, McDavid has a passionate entrepreneurial spirit and a flare for entertaining serving as a co-owner of the New York City restaurant Hunt & Fish Club.
About the Brand
The Starling Project was founded in 2015 by Sterling McDavid with the mission of providing solar energy to communities in need around the world. McDavid made solar energy the focus of her philanthropic efforts upon returning from an eyeopening trip to Vietnam while working in the field for UNICEF as an active UNICEF. Next Generation member. Inspired by how much one solar panel can provide a single community, McDavid created a line of sophisticated home candles that not only light the homes of their users, but provide a sustainable, long-term solution that lights the world of the under-resourced by offering access to electricity, safety, health, education, and so much more.