Grew up in Harbert, Michigan, graduated with a political science degree from Michigan State University, and served as assistant secretary of state in Michigan. She married Charles "Bud" Wilkinson in 1976, and they moved to St. Louis in 1978, where Donna quickly became one of the city's greatest champions and most valuable assets.
Donna began to volunteer with St. Louis nonprofit organizations in the early 1980s and demonstrated her skill as an inspiring leader, unparalleled fundraiser, thoughtful strategist, and a wonderful connector of people. She launched her nonprofit consulting business in 1995 at the urging of her good friend Bert Walker and went on to help organizations across the region raise millions of dollars to support their missions. She also continued to share her expertise on a volunteer basis, serving in a leadership capacity with the Regional Arts Commission, Missouri History Museum, Opera Theatre of Saint Louis (OTSL), and St. Louis Science Center, and serving as a board member of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, Radio Arts Foundation, Grand Center, Inc., the American Red Cross, Girls, Inc., the National Children's Cancer Society, the Sheldon Arts Foundation, and the United Way, among many others.
One of Donna's most treasured volunteer roles was with OTSL, where she joined the board in 1983, became a member of the executive committee in 1991, served as chairman from 2004-2008, and remained as chairman emerita until her death. She played a powerful role in securing OTSL's fiscal stability by chairing numerous galas, leading the company's development committee, and co-chairing the recently completed Building on Excellence campaign. Donna was an outstanding advocate for OTSL with civic leaders and took great pride in watching the company grow from strength to strength.
Numerous individuals and organizations benefitted from her mentorship – no matter how great the challenge, Donna was always eager to develop a strategy to achieve the desired goal. She was never satisfied with the status quo, and always encouraged organizations to set increasingly ambitious goals while remaining focused on long-term success and continued growth.
Donna began to volunteer with St. Louis nonprofit organizations in the early 1980s and demonstrated her skill as an inspiring leader, unparalleled fundraiser, thoughtful strategist, and a wonderful connector of people. She launched her nonprofit consulting business in 1995 at the urging of her good friend Bert Walker and went on to help organizations across the region raise millions of dollars to support their missions. She also continued to share her expertise on a volunteer basis, serving in a leadership capacity with the Regional Arts Commission, Missouri History Museum, Opera Theatre of Saint Louis (OTSL), and St. Louis Science Center, and serving as a board member of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, Radio Arts Foundation, Grand Center, Inc., the American Red Cross, Girls, Inc., the National Children's Cancer Society, the Sheldon Arts Foundation, and the United Way, among many others.
One of Donna's most treasured volunteer roles was with OTSL, where she joined the board in 1983, became a member of the executive committee in 1991, served as chairman from 2004-2008, and remained as chairman emerita until her death. She played a powerful role in securing OTSL's fiscal stability by chairing numerous galas, leading the company's development committee, and co-chairing the recently completed Building on Excellence campaign. Donna was an outstanding advocate for OTSL with civic leaders and took great pride in watching the company grow from strength to strength.
Numerous individuals and organizations benefitted from her mentorship – no matter how great the challenge, Donna was always eager to develop a strategy to achieve the desired goal. She was never satisfied with the status quo, and always encouraged organizations to set increasingly ambitious goals while remaining focused on long-term success and continued growth.
Grew up in Harbert, Michigan, graduated with a political science degree from Michigan State University, and served as assistant secretary of state in Michigan. She married Charles "Bud" Wilkinson in 1976, and they moved to St. Louis in 1978, where Donna quickly became one of the city's greatest champions and most valuable assets.
Donna began to volunteer with St. Louis nonprofit organizations in the early 1980s and demonstrated her skill as an inspiring leader, unparalleled fundraiser, thoughtful strategist, and a wonderful connector of people. She launched her nonprofit consulting business in 1995 at the urging of her good friend Bert Walker and went on to help organizations across the region raise millions of dollars to support their missions. She also continued to share her expertise on a volunteer basis, serving in a leadership capacity with the Regional Arts Commission, Missouri History Museum, Opera Theatre of Saint Louis (OTSL), and St. Louis Science Center, and serving as a board member of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, Radio Arts Foundation, Grand Center, Inc., the American Red Cross, Girls, Inc., the National Children's Cancer Society, the Sheldon Arts Foundation, and the United Way, among many others.
One of Donna's most treasured volunteer roles was with OTSL, where she joined the board in 1983, became a member of the executive committee in 1991, served as chairman from 2004-2008, and remained as chairman emerita until her death. She played a powerful role in securing OTSL's fiscal stability by chairing numerous galas, leading the company's development committee, and co-chairing the recently completed Building on Excellence campaign. Donna was an outstanding advocate for OTSL with civic leaders and took great pride in watching the company grow from strength to strength.
Numerous individuals and organizations benefitted from her mentorship – no matter how great the challenge, Donna was always eager to develop a strategy to achieve the desired goal. She was never satisfied with the status quo, and always encouraged organizations to set increasingly ambitious goals while remaining focused on long-term success and continued growth.
Donna began to volunteer with St. Louis nonprofit organizations in the early 1980s and demonstrated her skill as an inspiring leader, unparalleled fundraiser, thoughtful strategist, and a wonderful connector of people. She launched her nonprofit consulting business in 1995 at the urging of her good friend Bert Walker and went on to help organizations across the region raise millions of dollars to support their missions. She also continued to share her expertise on a volunteer basis, serving in a leadership capacity with the Regional Arts Commission, Missouri History Museum, Opera Theatre of Saint Louis (OTSL), and St. Louis Science Center, and serving as a board member of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, Radio Arts Foundation, Grand Center, Inc., the American Red Cross, Girls, Inc., the National Children's Cancer Society, the Sheldon Arts Foundation, and the United Way, among many others.
One of Donna's most treasured volunteer roles was with OTSL, where she joined the board in 1983, became a member of the executive committee in 1991, served as chairman from 2004-2008, and remained as chairman emerita until her death. She played a powerful role in securing OTSL's fiscal stability by chairing numerous galas, leading the company's development committee, and co-chairing the recently completed Building on Excellence campaign. Donna was an outstanding advocate for OTSL with civic leaders and took great pride in watching the company grow from strength to strength.
Numerous individuals and organizations benefitted from her mentorship – no matter how great the challenge, Donna was always eager to develop a strategy to achieve the desired goal. She was never satisfied with the status quo, and always encouraged organizations to set increasingly ambitious goals while remaining focused on long-term success and continued growth.
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See more Wilkinson or O'Donnohue memorials in:
- Oak Grove Cemetery Wilkinson or O'Donnohue
- St. Louis County Wilkinson or O'Donnohue
- Missouri Wilkinson or O'Donnohue
- USA Wilkinson or O'Donnohue
- Find a Grave Wilkinson or O'Donnohue
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