Candidate for
Trustee; San Diego Community College District; Trustee Area A

Having raised a family of 3, and earning her Master's Degree in Clinical Psychology, and working in some very satisfying positions within the psychological community, Donna retired around 2000.

However, after sitting around the best beach in the world, having fun with the 7 Grand-Babies and 1 Great-Grand, Donna decided she wasn't ready to retire; she still needed to contribute to the betterment of the lives of other people.
Donna formed her nonprofit, American Culture Council, Inc in 2011. A few months later, she partnered with The Home Depot Stores and San Diego Habitat For Humanity. Together, they refurbish homes for America's Veterans, free to the Veteran.
"It's the most satisfying work I've ever done," Donna tells us. "Our Veterans have earned our respect and admiration," declared Donna, herself a Navy wife of more than 20 years. "By combining my love of interior design and construction, I'm living a full and pleasant life through my nonprofit. And the Veteran families we help...well, it's more than fulfilling; it satisfies my soul", Donna states.
In addition to running her nonprofit, Donna has enjoyed a self-directed career in politics. She's helped many candidates run for and obtain a political office.
Donna's conducted many petition drives to get various causes on the Ballot. She's helped candidates get signatures for their ballot qualifications; has taken part in writing resolutions for the Republican Party; and has maintained her role as a grassroots leader through the various organizations of which she is an elected officer, or an active member.
Her hero: Phyllis Schlafley, Founder and President of Eagle Forum.
"Phyllis has always been a work-from-home wife and mother, and is the epitome of grace when it comes to political persuasion and arm-twisting. She's my mentor and my ally in the fight to save our nation."
Donna's work as a Counselor never stops. Whether it's helping beleaguered parents or comforting the recently bereaved, Donna's kindness of heart and the strength of her training in Clinical Psychology at Pepperdine University always brings help and hope to those she still counsels. "I've worked with several of the Veteran families my nonprofit serves," says Donna. "Sometimes, getting through the disruption of a construction job on your home can be very stressful, especially for their children. I try to help them understand their feelings about the changes taking place. Even good changes require a period of adjustment; and some people adjust sooner than others", Donna counsels.
Her most sensitive counseling? "Oh, that's easy," Donna says. "I was working with a wounded warrior and his wife and new baby. The baby was born with a hole in his heart and desperately needed open heart surgery.
`The problem was he also needed controlled temperature and a clean air environment to heal properly from such a dangerous surgery for a newborn." While the baby was in surgery, San Diego Habitat For Humanity donated and installed a complete Heating/Venting and Air Conditioning system, ensuring the baby's survival.
`But, once he was brought home, he had to go through the rigors of learning how to live and breathe normally, something he had never experienced in his short life. "It was another, different difficult time for the parents + they also had to learn to adjust to having a normal baby. It took a while for the 3 of them to get it together, but they did. Knowing what to expect and how to deal with it was most of the battle. I could give them some insights from similar experiences from my practice, as well as just plain old common sense," Donna explains. "They're all fine now, and the parents stay in touch with me and give me updates on their family. I cherish that connection with them."
As Trustee of District A, Donna will be working with 4 other colleagues, as well as the Presidents of all the Colleges in the San Diego Community District. She's already met all the Presidents, and toured 3 of the Colleges with the respective President. What she is learning on these tours, as well as the fine people she's meeting, will translate into a lively and active campaign this summer!