Hello, I'm Dona.

I started my career as a Mechanical Engineer working on space shuttle and satellite technology before switching directions and working in the legal field for more than 20 years. As an Intellectual Property Attorney, I learned new technologies every day! The work was fascinating and it was an exciting time!

Most recently I spent time working in-house at corporations as Executive and Senior Counsel responsible for driving the global intellectual property strategy, including protecting and monetizing innovations, developing a legal department, managing litigations and providing general legal advice and counsel. The work was both challenging and highly rewarding.

Then I had the bright idea to pursue an MBA. However, life threw me a curve. Literally. While working and pursuing an MBA, my long history of challenges with scoliosis took over and my scoliosis worsened. I finished my MBA program, but it was time for a serious and lengthy surgery to straighten my spine.

​Engineering and practicing law is now in the background, and I’ve re-invented myself again, which has become second nature to me. It’s time to focus on something I love – FASHION and I’m excited you’ve decided to come along for the curvy ride…let’s go!!!

Fashion With a Curve.

​Fashion has always been my passion and safe space. It has been a part of my life in so many profound and wonderful ways. There is so much beauty and glamour, creativity and uniqueness, not to mention utility in fashion. I have no particular style because I love them all! I like to mix it up. In that sense, fashion is a language for me. Through fashion, I can express and communicate to the world around me, how I am feeling on any given day.

Why the “curve?” The curve refers to my scoliosis and what brought me to this current place in life. When I am in the zone, fashion helps relieve my pain and I go into another world of fantasy, creativity and imagination.

“Curve” also refers to my ability to see fashion and other aspects of life from a variety of viewpoints all of which encompass my myriad of experiences in technology, law and business. There are so many twists and turns in life and fashion… and I gladly embrace them all.

Topics I love.

I love to share stories and talk on topics that have touched my life including fashion, adaptive fashion, scoliosis and disability issues. Here is one of my talks on adaptive fashion, which is clothing and shoes specifically designed for people with varying disabilities, injuries, recovering from surgery or for the aging population. I hope it conjures up magical feelings and rekindles your childhood dreams.

I also use storytelling to create thought-provoking ways to explore the complexities of sometimes-difficult subjects to discuss such as diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, empathy and compassion. I know, it’s a long list of subjects but these are all so fundamental to connecting with and relating to each other in every dimension of life.

Through my narratives, I show up in the truest form of myself and believe fostering a safe space for engaging in respectful and real ways is essential. My goal is to take you on a journey with me by being vulnerable, funny, and inspiring. My hope is to engage, captivate and inspire you to new ways of thinking about the world around us. I am currently being featured in a documentary following my speaker journey to be released in the near future.