Donna Gathers began her career with Sandy Springs Revitalization as a volunteer. In the summer of 1998, she began researching the feasibility and interest in forming a Sandy Springs business association.  By the winter of 1998, the movement to create the Sandy Springs Business Association was full speed ahead, and she was hired to become its first Executive Director. Donna was named the Executive Director of SSRI in December 2005.

Donna comes to SSBA with a wealth of education and experience in the realm of business, public administration, not-for-profit and educational organizations. Her work as an Employee Benefits Consultant for William M. Mercer involved design and coordination of benefit programs for multi-location firms, research of funding alternatives and cash flow analysis.

Following the birth of her children Donna spent several years in the volunteer community. She served as President of a cooperative preschool and sat on the board of the Shaker Heights League of Women Voters, Junior Committee of The Cleveland Orchestra and her parish school of religion. She was committee chair for a variety of activities at her childrens'  schools, and was selected to work with the Middle School 
principle and a small group of teachers and parents to study and communicate planned curricular restructuring.

While working on her graduate degree Donna was employed as an intern for the City of Shaker Heights. She directed a study working with volunteers from the civic, business and academic community, the results of which were later incorporated into the city's promotional literature. Following her graduation she managed a successful campaign for a city council candidate.

Donna's family moved to Atlanta in 1997. She served as the PTA Chair of the Learn & Serve program designed to connect high school students with volunteer opportunities. In this position she coordinated the first annual "Hands On North Springs". 

Donna has her B.A. in Political Science from Stonehill College, and M.P.A from Cleveland State University where she was also a member of Pi Alpha Alpha National Honor Society for Public Affairs and Administration.