Donna was a great partner with the Regional Workforce Board with assisting displaced professionals seeking re-employment. We rolled out a program CONNECT for these displaced professionals and she was a key Human Resources Specialist sharing with them re-assessing their resume, getting their elevator speech prepared and the overall interview process. Donna was instrumental in helping keep many of the professionals attitudes positive during the great recession when many of them lost their jobs in our community, no fault of theirs. When it comes to community involvement we could always count on Donna.

Donna continues to be the HR expert I refer organizations and individuals too. She is the epitome of HR expertise, professionalism, grace, strength and kindness. A company’s greatest resource is talent. Donna understands the nuances of guiding company vision, goals and the needs of the individuals that make up the workforce. In our fast moving economic cycles, Donna’s experience, skills and wisdom ensure the best solutions for all impacted. Donna does not shy away from the hard conversations and decisions, she is candid and kind. Donna is the HR professional every company and community deserves.

Donna always challenged me to be authentic and not easily agree or conform to something I did not believe in. She showed me there is no wrong in asking questions and making sure your voice is heard. I have learned so much from Donna throughout the years I have known her and know that she will greatly influence anyone fortunate enough to be mentored by her. She lives her truth and will not settle for the mundane. She loves people and is willing to give so much of herself to help and coach them.

I had the pleasure of working with Donna on many occasions during our time together in Sandvik. I greatly appreciated her energetic, direct approach and ability to quickly get to the core of an issue and work in a cooperative way to find a solution that would suit both areas. While the practical help mentioned above was greatly appreciated, more important for me was Donna’s passionate, unwavering support for the work going on across Sandvik to simultaneously improve our EHS systems and our EHS Culture. A strong voice in a Management Team that was often focused on other issues is a critical success factor. I can highly recommend Donna as I am confident that she will support you with the same energy and expertise as she did for me.

Donna has not only a profound knowledge on all the fields of HR but also the capacity and the patience to coach the most difficult people. In all projects and topics that we worked on together she always played an essential role. From a personal side she is caring, empathic, goal oriented with a good sense of humour and – maybe the biggest asset – she has a real international attitude. Anyone who can have Donna on board permanently or projectwise will make a great deal.

Donna is a true HR professional and Change Agent. She is comfortable working at the strategic level and is extremely efficient at the operational level and can be relied upon to get things done by forming strong relationships at all levels of an organisation. Really understands the power of the “H” in HR and has a proven track record in identifying and developing emerging leaders in an organisation. Donna can also be relied upon to be the voice of reason in the fast and frequent world of ongoing organisational change. I was very fortunate to have worked with such a HR practitioner.

When Donna and I first met I knew we would work together in some capacity. Her ability to truly see people and the needs of a business is unparalleled. Donna exudes integrity, and confidence born from her tenure and past experiences. The strength of her leadership experience and approach to projects will continue to grow Sonata Venture Solutions and its brand. We are fortunate and grateful to join forces with her.

I can say with confidence, that Donna is the one person who has made the biggest impact on shaping me into the professional that I am today. As I evolved in my career, I had the opportunity to work with Donna in an influential mentoring program. Donna always held us accountable, and challenged us to learn about and understand ourselves. She guided us in developing our own management styles so we could grow confidently into new managers (with direct reports) who were equipped to handle the difficult challenges that managers often face with integrity, consistency, and respect. Even today, I often refer back to lessons I learned from Donna. I am truly grateful for her influence and mentorship!

[Global Women Connect] program has helped me become committed to goals setting and milestones. Donna has given me very clear paths to acquire the skills and attitudes that are crucial for my development. I am learning to understand the different perspectives. She has helped me fully comprehend the reasons that some of these changes are necessary and important to me both professionally and personally. I feel responsible to show progress to my mentor. With the help and guidance of Donna, I have developed a clear and focused direction for my life professionally and personally.