Donna has experience within both corporate and public entities, focusing on empowering leaders and teams to enact personal and systemic change. Donna helps leaders to examine how they think, how they interact, and how they take action in order to effect that change. She also has a passion for advancing a holistic approach to leadership development within the political realm.
Donna is an entrepreneur who was the sole owner and operator of several restaurants. After selling her business, Donna parlayed her love of community and leadership into a career in elected office, serving three terms in the Oregon State Legislature. She was her party s nominee for secretary of state, and while serving in the legislature, Donna was vice-chair of the Trade and Economic Development Committee.
Donna is co-founder of the Bainbridge Leadership Center and director of the center's public leadership domain. She is the author of The Politics of Hope: Reviving the Dream of Democracy, a primer for transforming our political system. She is also a highly sought after keynote speaker and facilitator. Some of her clients include, National League of Cities, National Association of Counties, Texas Association of Counties, LBJ School of Public Affairs, Oregon League of Cities, Washington Association of Counties and on the Faculty of the Leadership Academy of the International City and County Management Association.
Donna received her M.A. in community affairs and public policy from the University of Oregon and her B.S. degree from the University of Missouri.