Donna joined SeaAhead’s Board of Directors in 2019 and SeaAhead’s staff in 2020. She leads the company’s bluetech angel investor group, the Blue Angels, which includes 40 members representing diverse ocean-related industries and technologies, and provides capital, mentorship and network connections for bluetech start-ups. As a member of the executive team, she is also deeply engaged in the company’s involvement in the growing micro- and macro- algae industries; the UpSwell program to attract additional investors and capital to the blue economy; and several strategic partnerships.
Donna served as Interim President & CEO of the New England Aquarium while continuing as Chair of the Board and a member of the search committee recruiting a long-term CEO for this $47 M non-profit organization attracting 1.4 million visitors annually and employing 250+ full-time staff and more than 1500 volunteers. As Board Chair and Interim CEO, Donna led the institution to update and implement its strategic plan, begin a cultural shift, restructure its development department, exceed its fundraising goal (30% increase year to year), and generate an operating surplus. She received a Governor’s Citation, Resolution of Honor from the MA House of Representatives, Official Citation from the MA State Senate, and Certificates of Recognition from US Senators Warren and Markey, US Congresswoman Clark, and Mayor Walsh for her efforts.
In the corporate sector Donna also co-founded and served as Vice President of Business Development for venture-backed biotech diagnostics company Exact Sciences (NASDAQ: EXAS), which reached a market cap of $26 B. Donna focused on strategic partnerships, intellectual property, physician awareness, value proposition, reimbursement, and commercialization.
Prior to these roles, Donna served as Director of Marketing and Business Development at Genzyme Genetics, Manager at Company Assistance Limited in Warsaw, Poland, Consultant at Bain & Company, and Market Analyst at biotech company BioTechnica International. She received an AB in Biology from Princeton University, an MBA from Harvard Business School, and a Masters in Sustainability through Harvard Extension. Donna lives with her husband and family dog, travels whenever possible (especially to catch up with her four children), hikes, bikes and is a certified scuba diver.
