Donna E. Collins is a seasoned finance and operations executive with over three decades of proven leadership across nonprofit, public, and private sectors. With a career marked by transformative financial stewardship, operational excellence, and a passion for mission-driven work, Donna has built a legacy of strategic impact and organizational advancement.

Most recently serving as Vice President of Finance and Operations for the Human Trafficking Institute (HTI), Donna played a pivotal role in shaping the organization’s global infrastructure. Managing a $7M revenue base and $6M in expenditures, she led finance, HR, and IT functions, overseeing all financial planning and analysis, audits, compliance, and systems transformation. Her efforts included leading the end-to-end implementation of NetSuite ERP and Concur for AP and travel, transitioning corporate card programs to BREX, overhauling HRIS systems from Bamboo to Paycor, and introducing international payroll via Safeguard. Donna’s strategic leadership elevated HTI’s internal controls, enhanced global compliance across Uganda, South Africa, Belize, and the U.S., and positioned the organization for sustainable growth through streamlined processes and robust financial reporting.

Prior to HTI, Donna served as Senior Finance Director at March of Dimes, where she was responsible for managing a $130M budget. She built and led the organization’s FP&A function, centralizing financial operations and reducing overhead costs by 50%. She also championed the adoption of Oracle NetSuite and modernized procurement and AP systems, bringing greater clarity and agility to financial decision-making.

Donna’s earlier tenure at the American Red Cross is equally distinguished, where she served for over two decades in finance leadership roles supporting Biomedical Collections. She oversaw budgets exceeding $500M and led finance teams spanning 35 regions. Her influence extended beyond numbers—she was integral to strategic reorganization initiatives and developed performance dashboards and analytics that improved productivity and guided senior leadership decisions. Her collaborative approach made her a trusted liaison among finance, HR, IT, and operations teams.

Donna began her career at the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), working as an accountant and liquidation specialist during the U.S. banking crisis of the early 1990s. Her work involved auditing and transitioning nearly $1B in assets during a time of intense regulatory oversight, setting the foundation for her career in high-stakes financial leadership.

Donna holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Saint Leo University and an Associate of Science in Finance from Daniel Webster College. She has also contributed her insights to global finance dialogues as a member and presenter at the World Finance Forum from 2020 to 2021.

A respected leader with a reputation for integrity, precision, and operational foresight, Donna is now seeking to contribute her expertise at the board level. She is especially passionate about guiding organizations that operate at the intersection of mission and impact, where sound financial governance is critical to long-term success. Her breadth of experience—from international nonprofit operations to federal financial recovery—makes her an exceptional asset to any board focused on strategic growth, fiscal accountability, and operational resilience.

Character: Donna Collins demonstrates unwavering integrity and dedication, consistently leading with transparency and purpose across mission-driven organizations.

Knowledge: She possesses deep expertise in financial management, systems transformation, and nonprofit operations, with over 30 years of progressive leadership experience.

Strategic: Donna has a proven track record of driving organization-wide change through strategic planning, operational streamlining, and data-informed decision-making.

Communication: A clear and collaborative communicator, she effectively engages cross-functional teams, executive leadership, and board members to align goals and deliver results.