Donna graduated from Texas Women’s University in 1980 with a BS in Occupational Therapy (OT). She was a practicing therapist when she received a direct commission into the USAF in 1985, serving in the U.S. and Germany and leaving the service in 1992. She retired from OT after a 23-year career in 2003, worked briefly for Sunrise Senior Living and the Department of State before starting a second career with the U.S. federal government 2005-2016, serving in the U.S., the U.K., Jordan, Egypt and Iraq. She now lives with her husband and family dogs, Chelsea and Treeline, in Waynesville, NC.