Donna B. McNamara, Ph.D. is a friend, Board member and Chair of the Development and Marketing Committee of the Board for the College of Saint Elizabeth.
When did you get involved with the College of Saint Elizabeth?
I joined the Board around 2006 when I retired from working full time at the Colgate Palmolive Company, where I served as the Vice President of Global Education and Training.
What attracted you to the College of Saint Elizabeth?
Education has been the defining factor of my whole life, both personally and professionally. Having worked all over the globe, I decided that with retirement I wanted to be able to become more involved and contribute more in my home community. The College of Saint Elizabeth (CSE) had a good reputation. I knew people who had been on the Board and who were on the faculty, people I admired and I’d always heard that, as an institution, CSE was very good and employers had confidence in the graduates.
What motivates you to stay involved with the College of Saint Elizabeth?
President Helen Streubert articulated her vision and I found it thrilling. She spoke about the graduates of CSE being people who return to their communities and want to help. Therefore, a very important role for CSE is to help improve some of our most challenged communities in the state – places like Newark, Paterson, Camden. I find that very meaningful and very exciting. I am inspired to assist CSE get back on the path of stabilizing the institution financially and growing enrollment, as well as reputation. We strive to be known regionally as an institution that is able to take undergraduate students who are smart but have often not had a solid educational foundation nor exposure to possibilities. We strive to help them to earn a degree and become leaders in their careers and, to also prepare graduate students to be leaders in their chosen fields and communities.
Why do you volunteer and donate?
I volunteer and donate to help others achieve their potential. I am motivated by my desire to provide opportunities to others. Actually, while I’ve focused on the undergraduate program, I also identify personally with the graduate students. These are young men and women who were bright, committed, and hard working as I had been at their age. Like many of them, I worked full time as I was getting my Masters. That’s an important steppingstone in a career, even more in today’s world, perhaps the most important key to unlocking the potential of their lives.
What has inspired you to give back?
The trajectory of my life has been very much influenced by opportunities. Opportunities that were introduced by others who had confidence and faith in my abilities and were willing to take an extra step on my behalf. I want to be able to offer opportunities to others and hopefully help them to also fulfill their dreams – actually maybe to create a life that is even beyond their dreams. My work now is all pro bono and all focused on helping nonprofit organizations and universities.
What are you most passionate about?
Education – it provides the keys to the future. For individuals. For organizations. For society. For the world.
How would you describe your personal mission?
My personal mission it to help others (either directly or indirectly) who because of life’s circumstances really need it. I want to be able to offer opportunities to others and help them make their dreams a reality.
How do you feel about giving?
I give my time, talent and treasure because I am saying ‘thank you’ for what I have been given. Please join me in supporting the College of Saint Elizabeth, as I have, by giving annually and by including the College in your estate plans.
What are your dreams for the College of Saint Elizabeth community?
My dreams for the CSE is as an institution we thrive and become a hallmark of excellence, helping first generation students and developing the next generation of leaders who make the world a better place.
Interviewed by:
Theresa Valentino, Director of Development, Office of Institutional Advancement, College of Saint Elizabeth
