Dona is currently the President and CEO for United Way of Pierce County. Dona joined UWPC in January of 2014 and brings over 30 years of experience within the United Way network and a long history of working on behalf of children and their families.
Since taking the reins in Pierce County, Dona led a ground-breaking three-state research project on the financial stability of families known as ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed), spearheaded the creation of the yearly, From Poverty to Possibilities summit, and launched the Center for Strong Families, that focuses on helping families increase their income, decrease expenses, build credit, and acquire assets. Currently, in partnership with the City of Tacoma, County and DSHS, she and her team are leading another Guaranteed Income Demonstration project.
She is active with United Way at both the state and national level where she has served as the chair for the United Ways of the Pacific Northwest and is a past co-chair of the Black Professionals Leadership Alliance, made up of United Way CEOs from across the country.
Prior to joining United Way of Pierce County, Dona was a Vice President at United Way for Southeast Michigan (UWSEM) in Detroit, Michigan. While in Michigan, she lead the development and implementation of a re-imagined community investment model. Prior to joining UWSEM, she was with Orange County’s United Way and the United Way of Greater Los Angeles.
Dona has consistently been very engaged in her community and has demonstrated strong leadership through service and board membership. She is a member of the Junior League Tacoma and is currently the President of the Association of Junior Leagues International. In addition, she serves on the boards of the Tacoma Art Museum, Wellfound Behavioral Health Hospital, Coordinated Care, and the Workforce Development Council. In 2019, she was appointed by Governor Jay Inslee to serve as a Board of Trustee for Tacoma Community College.
Dona holds a BA in Psychology and a MS Degree in Counseling with emphasis in children and families from Creighton University. She lives in Gig Harbor with her husband Joe.