Donna has worked in mental health services for over 25 years and became interested in teaching MBSR after being introduced to mindfulness through Dialectic Behavioural Therapy and Zen practice. Donna is currently involved with bringing MBSR to staff at Starship Child Health through her role as a clinician in the Consult Liaison Service. She integrates mindfulness in her work with clients who are mostly extraordinary people trying to live ordinary lives or ordinary people living extraordinary lives and in initiatives such as compassion and mindfulness in the workplace.

Originally training as a Comprehensive Nurse Donna did a BA psychology and MA (Hons) in Child and Adolescent Mental Health and Family Therapy at Otago University. Donna has trained in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Dialectic Behavioural Therapy and has a National Certificate in Adult Education.

Besides Insight meditation Donna enjoys trail running, family and friends and being a parent to a son, a fat cat and a short legged dog.