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Donna Redd ’85 has a knack for finding herself in the perfect situation for success.

The music education major recently celebrated her 25th reunion at Homecoming 2010, where she sang in the Alumni Chorus. “I was reminded of the wonderful experience, education and relationships I gained during my years at Shenco [what many alums from the ’70s and ’80s call the school],” she said.

After graduation, Redd stayed busy with her professional career, but has now found time to become more involved with Shenandoah as a new member of the Alumni Board of Directors. “I am very excited to help in Shenandoah’s growth under Dr. Fitzsimmons’ leadership,” she said.

With over 15 years in a variety of nonprofit and for-profit management positions, Redd is well-versed and successful at fundraising. Working with organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, the National Park Service at Wolf Trap, the YMCA, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), and Duke Medical Center, she has traveled across the country and has helped many people.

Redd has organized dinners and auctions with the 11-time Stanley Cup winners, the Detroit Red Wings, in order to raise funds for JDRF. She has hosted celebrities such as former First Lady Barbara Bush, the Bolshoi Ballet and the Soviet and Swiss embassies for special events at Wolf Trap.

Her impressive resume began when she earned her Bachelor of Music Education degree at Shenandoah. She took her drive, talent, and singing skills to Hawaii where she worked as a promotions director for Hawaii Public Radio. There, she learned the great effects that nonprofit fundraising can have on large groups of people.

“I enjoyed the idea of ‘recycling resources,’ and having a positive impact on society appeals to me greatly,” she said. When in Michigan, Redd was the executive director for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. She led a team that raised over $1.7 million for diabetes research. “That experience was truly rewarding,” she said.

Redd has performed many professional gigs as a singer and during her time in Hawaii, she sang in the Hawaii Opera. She attributes this great career to being very prepared by her professors while at Shenandoah. “The personal investment that my professors made in my life had me prepared musically, professionally and holistically as a person,” she said. “I am forever grateful for them and for the lifelong friends I made as a student.”

With her prestigious singing talent, long-lasting relationships at Shenandoah, her successful career fundraising for organizations, and a passion to give back to where she came from, the Alumni Board of Directors and Shenandoah is glad to have their girl back!

Redd plans to begin her MBA in Healthcare Management in November 2011. She had the recent opportunity to sing at Carnegie Hall with a choral ensemble, performs professionally on cruise ships and at four-star resorts, and continues to sing professionally on the east coast.

I am looking forward to reconnecting with the voice faculty, friends in Winchester and I hope to be able to be of assistance in the plans to continue Shenandoah’s exemplary work.”