Donna Frett-Gregory

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 “I slept and dreamt that life was joy. I awoke and saw that life was service. I acted and behold, service was joy.”       (Tagore)

Donna Frett-Gregory was first elected in 2018 to serve as a senator in the 33rd Legislature where she held the position of Vice President and Chairwoman of the Committee on Finance for a short time. She eventually moved to serve as chair of the Committee on Education & Workforce Development during her first term, which proved to be a rewarding experience. A graduate of the Charlotte Amalie High School Class of 1983, Donna holds a Master of Business Administration from Western Governors University, Master of Arts in Public Administration from the University of the Virgin Islands, and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Morgan State University. She also received a Harvard University John F. Kennedy School of Government certificate in senior executive leadership and holds an advanced government finance certification from the Government Finance Officers Association.

Donna served the Virgin Islands community well in her first term. She sponsored over 30+ pieces of legislation that were signed into law—unprecedented for a freshman senator in the minority caucus—and cosponsored 120+ bills with her colleagues. Her track record boasts impactful measures to include: strengthening of career and technical education in schools and education reform; reenactment of the Tax Study Commission; appropriation of millions of dollars to support GERS; petitioning Congress to terminate the cap on Medicaid funding; and agriculture reform.

Prior to taking office, Donna served as Chief Financial Officer for the Virgin Islands Port Authority, Commissioner of the Virgin Islands Department of Education, and Director of Operations at the Virgin Islands Department of Justice. Her early career started in the 18TH-20TH Legislatures where she served as an accounting clerk in the Business Division of the Legislature of the Virgin Islands and where she was later promoted to budget analyst in the Post Audit Division. Donna has served on two Governor transition teams: The Governor Charles Turnbull-Financial transition team and the Governor Kenneth Mapp-Property and Procurement transition team. Donna has 30 years of public financial and executive experience coupled with in-depth knowledge and understanding of territorial and federal fiscal principles governing the executive and legislative branches in the Virgin Islands.

Donna’s direct approach to producing results is impressive. Her background demonstrates abilities in the administration of large staffs and managing substantial budgets through the implementation of cost saving measures and accountability. A serious advocate for fiscal accountability and transparency, Donna was elected to the thirteenth Virgin Islands Board of Education where she had oversight responsibility of the Virgin Islands Public Schools’ proper establishment, maintenance, management, and operation. Donna believes the issues the territory faces with public education can be remedied with strong leadership and teams of stakeholders committed to making a difference.

Donna is a member of the Sigma Theta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. She currently serves as a member of the International Connections Committee and has served in various leadership positions to include president of her local chapter. In her current position as senator, Donna gives back to her community extensively, hosting events like the annual Thanksgiving dinner for senior residents at the Ebenezer Gardens Senior Home and through her charitable donations to grassroots organizations in the community. Even further, she established the Donna Frett-Gregory Community Impact Foundation that provides education scholarships to students and has sponsored numerous empowerment events, including her annual “Yes She Can” Girls Empowerment Conference.

Donna is the recipient of several awards. She has been recognized by the US Virgin Islands Montserrat Association for her commitment to education, received the SPARKS Youth Group Flames of Inspiration award, and was named the international region of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Soror of the Year in 2017. She formerly served on boards of the University of the Virgin Islands, WTJX Channel 12, VI Cultural Endowment, and Kidscope, Inc. Most importantly, she is the proud mother of four adult children: Kaylen, Alani, Anwar and Agyei Gregory, and two grandchildren, Aycen and Ayla Gregory.

Donna is a fierce advocate for matters close to her heart and deeply believes in an inclusive Virgin Islands.