- Appointed for the period of January 2019 to December 2022
- The term on the ARIC has been further extended to December 2026
Donna is an experienced Chief Executive, independent director, business leader and skilled problem solver with a solid track record of positive transformation of organisations.
She holds various board and committee roles and runs a farming and grazing property in Central Western NSW.
From 2014 to 2018 Donna was Chief Executive of Local Government NSW, the peak industry association representing the interests all NSW general purpose councils and related organisations.
She was previously Chief Executive of the NSW Office of Communities (the umbrella organisation for a range of functions including Sport & Recreation, Venues NSW, Sydney Olympic Park Authority, Penrith Lakes, Youth, Veterans' Affairs, Volunteering, the Commission for Children & Young People, the Children's Guardian and Aboriginal Affairs).
Donna also headed Corporate Governance and Policy in the then NSW Department of Planning & Infrastructure. Before that, she was the Deputy Director General Strategy, Communication and Governance with the former NSW Department of Community Services.
Her broad experience has also included roles in central agencies, transport and environment protection. Donna worked in policy, communications, governance and operational roles in the NSW public sector for over 25 years.
Donna has an Economics degree with Honours in Government and Public Administration, and a Masters degree in Planning. She is currently enrolled in the Juris Doctor program at Macquarie University.
Donna was made a Fellow of the Institute of Public Administration in 2012.