Staff and Instructor Credentials

Donka Personnel--2007

Executive Director - hired 1/90. She has a B.A. in Education, served as a case manager for a disabled sibling, and has 5 years retail management experience. Responsible for directing all phases of Donka's operation including administrative duties, overseeing instruction & curricula, fundraising & public relations, and acting as liaison among students, staff, Board members, the public, and the media.

Program Manager - (full-time) hired 6/05. She has an A.A.S. in Administrative Assistant and Software Specialist. 15 years of experience in field of administration including work with not-for-profit organizations. Works directly with the executive director to organize and direct the program services. Supervises staff on a daily basis to ensure quality of programs and administering services.

Instructor/Education Director - (part-time) hired 9/88. She has an M.S. in Special Education and Education Psychology, and over 15 years of teaching experience with emotionally impaired and leaning disabled students. She provides comprehensive assessment for all trainee candidates to determine potential for entering Donka's program. Twelve (12) students per year are under her tutelage.

Mobile Trainer / Educational Coordinator - (full-time). Position currently open.

2 Instructors for the Visually Impaired - (part-time) These Donka graduates have extensive computer knowledge and experience with adaptive equipment. One instructor has been physically impaired for many years, and one has been blind since birth. Both have a keen sensitivity to those with disabilities. They provide training to six (6) visually impaired persons per year.

Instructor, Aurora Site - (part-time), hired 11/00. A former graduate of the program provides instruction in curriculum and assistive technology to 8 students per year.

Computer Technician / Network Engineer - (part - time), hired 1/99. Has 15 years of Information Technology experience with extensive knowledge of computers and data networks. Has the ability to install, maintain and troubleshoot hardware, software, and peripherals. Maintains a Windows 2003 Server environment, while providing on-going support for the network and advising on computer upgrades and curriculum changes.

Development and Public Relations - (part-time), hired 1/94. She has over 15 years experience in communications and public relations work. She is responsible for grant proposal submissions, coordination and execution of fund raising events, and program awareness. The creation and distribution of the bi-annual newsletter, brochures and media information is also part of her position.

Job Placement Specialist - (position open).

Don Van Haveren - Founding Father (1924-1993). As volunteer founder of Donka in 1987, Van Haveren developed and directed the program, improving and expanding it to meet the needs of persons with varying disabilities. A retired business executive, he brought corporate management skills to Donka. A further avocation of more than ten years experience in the field of computers led to his visionary belief that people with physical limitations could greatly benefit from access to computers. His contributions to Donka as a dedicated and caring leader are evident in the program he began, in the lives of the persons he helped, and in the continuing mission of Donka, Inc. in his memory.

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