In 2019, Donna had made plans to “semi-retire” to Jackson, NH after a long career as CEO and executive director at several nonprofit organizations. Her plan was to continue her part-time work as a senior consultant for a nonprofit consulting agency.
At the time, the Observatory’s Board of Trustees faced the challenge of an executive leadership transition and decided to hire an Intentional Interim Executive Director who could position the organization with the greatest opportunity for success under a future, longer-term leader. The intentional interim leader’s purpose is to serve as an internal consultant for staff and board as well as take responsibility for all operations.
In February 2020, the trustees asked Donna to consider the position, given her experience and knowledge about the Observatory, with the original plan for an 8- to10-month tenure. Certainly, no one predicted the next month would bring the impacts of a pandemic, and that more than two and a half years later, we would be celebrating Donna’s work in restructuring the Observatory.
Within a few weeks of Donna’s hiring, COVID hit full-force. Several difficult decisions had to be taken immediately to ensure the Observatory’s core weather station operations. Throughout this initial period, Donna quickly gained the confidence of the staff and trustees. She provided the leadership required, focusing the Observatory on its core mission of science and research, as well as streamlining financial reporting to ensure financial stability.
After the first few months in her new role, Donna then focused her efforts on three primary areas:
- Board – Working with the trustees to develop a new strategic plan, as well as assisting board process, structure, and culture.
- Staff – Identifying and strengthening staff roles and responsibilities, and aligning the staff’s work with the newly developed strategic plan.
- Development – Creating a renewed focus on fundraising and development planning.
In each of these areas, Donna provided outstanding leadership and expertise, with an emphasis on collaborating and communicating with staff, trustees, and membership, while providing rationales for the changes taking place. Other key accomplishments resulting from Donna’s work with our trustees and staff include improving our facilities and vehicle fleet significantly, adapting our education programs for expanded reach, strengthening relationships with our summit partners, and finalizing a new five-year weather contract with NOAA, which relies on our observations to inform weather forecasts, warnings, and climatological services.
All of this was done as the Observatory continued it primary work of ongoing weather observations, mountain forecasting, research, and maintaining the 90-year data set.
I had the distinct honor and pleasure of working closely with Donna during my tenure as Chair of the Board of Trustees. On behalf of the Observatory’s trustees, staff, and members, I commend Donna for her dedication, her leadership, and her professionalism. We all wish her the best as she resumes her “semi-retirement.” We are grateful that she shared her remarkable talents with us. Thank you, Donna!
Gary MacDonald
Immediate Past Chair, Board of Trustees
Mount Washington Observatory
