Biography
I am an independent consultant and former senior executive with deep experience in digital business transformation, e-commerce, strategic planning, multi-channel operations, and CRM. My experience spans multiple industries including apparel, gifting and children’s and educational media / publishing with an emphasis on direct-to-consumer and multi-channel retail businesses.
I founded and led the Internet-based e-commerce efforts for 1-800-FLOWERS.COM and Scholastic; and, led and improved direct-to-consumer efforts for New York & Company. My 18-year career has been marked by increasing leadership responsibility, entrepreneurial spirit, strategic insight, customer focus, channel integration, team development, and profitable growth. Today, I consult for companies large and small, and in various stages of their digital business development.
I was a founding member of e-commerce industry association, SHOP.ORG, and served as the founding chairperson of the research committee, introducing The State of Online Retailing. Before venturing into e-commerce, I enjoyed a successful first career as a high school teacher and non-profit administrator.
Specialties:
Envisioning Opportunities | Strategy Formation and Planning |
Business Model Innovation | Profitable Growth |
Managing and Leading Change | Interim Executive Management |
E-Business Readiness | E-Commerce (end-to-end) |
E-Commerce Platform Reviews and Selection Support |
Customer Development | Cross-Channel and Online Marketing |
Customer Experience Improvements | Strategic Partnerships |
Organizing for E-Success | Coaching and Team-Building |
Event Speaker (Conferences and Corporate Events)
Industry Expertise (10)
Internet
IT Services/Consulting
Public Relations and Communications
Education/Learning
Corporate Training
Apparel/Accessories
Management Consulting
Retail
Direct Marketing
Publishing
Areas of Expertise (10)
Content Strategy
Online Marketing
Digital Business
Business Model Innovation
Situation Analysis
Business Transformation
New Business Development
Customer Experience
E-Commerce Consulting
Marketing Strategy
Accomplishments (6)
Recipient – New York Ten Award (professional)
2003-10-02
Donna was the inaugural recipient of a “New York Ten Award” for leadership and innovation by the Executive Council of New York. The New York Ten Awards is an annual selection of ten individuals in the greater New York business community who have, through their innovation, significantly impacted their organization and industry.
Advisory Council Chair – Hofstra University, School of Communication (professional)
The School of Communication's Advisory Council are responsible for advising administrators and providing input concerning educational programs, events, student opportunities, and facilities and operations. The Advisory Council is essentially responsible for ensuring that the school continues to flourish in the rapidly changing world of communications and media convergence. The Council is also a networking tool for students seeking internships and job opportunities upon graduation.
Member – Women In Leadership Council, Hofstra University (professional)
Women in Leadership is a new initiative designed to highlight the accomplishments of the countless successful Hofstra alumnae. The group is expected to become a professional resource and powerful network for both alumnae and current students.
Board of Advisors – Radish Systems, LLC (professional)
Radish Systems is the innovative, world-wide leader improving the way businesses communicate with mobile devices users. Our mission is to improve the way people communicate using smart mobile devices while maintaining compatibility with the existing telephone infrastructure, contact centers, and Interactive Voice Response (IVR) systems. We help businesses interact with people on their mobile devices more effectively through our easy-to-use solutions.
Owner and Principal – Spinach Candy (professional)
2005-06-01
Spinach Candy is a strategic digital business consulting, interim management and business development company for early stage, growing, mature, and even stalled companies. Services include: business reviews and assessments, strategy formation, business planning, organizational development, strategic partnerships, vendor reviews / selection, business development, operations planning, M&A support, interim executive management, and thought leadership.
Recipient – Top 25 Click and Mortar Executives (professional)
2000-06-01
In 2000, Donna was named one of the Top 25 Click and Mortar Executives by Internet World.
Education (4)
Hofstra University: Bachelor of Arts, Communication Arts
Hofstra University: Master of Science, Master of Science
Hofstra University: M.B.A., Marketing
Fashion Institute of Technology: Associate of Arts and Sciences, Communication Arts
Affiliations (1)
- shop.org
Event Appearances (1)
Monetizing the Real-Time Web: Why Every E-Tailer Will Need to Become a Content Producer
Internet Summit 2010 Raleigh, North Carolina
2010-11-17
Sample Talks (2)
Same-Day Delivery: What do businesses need to succeed in the Internet age
While most Internet retail is focused on the front-end activities — the look and feel of the Web site, taking and processing an order — in reality that is 50% of the battle with respect to what the customer wanted. The stumbling block was on the back end, with respect to being able to actually deliver the finished product to a consumer. This presentation will focus on the increasing expansion of online merchandising, and how it impacts upon the bricks-and-morter business model.
Monetizing the Real-Time Web: Why Every E-Tailer Will Need to Become a Content Producer
We’ve mastered the art of creating and serving contextual ads for traditional search result pages, but users of the real-time Web are living in a state of constant re-fresh as they seek the latest info. Are you ready to serve multiple ads to the same user? And, how will you leverage other forms of real-time data such as streams in a user-friendly way while still focusing on measurable results? Develop a better understanding of the real-time web and how to prepare for new marketing opportunities.
Style
Availability
- Keynote
- Moderator
- Panelist
- Workshop Leader
- Host/MC
- Corporate Training
Social