Meet Donna
Hi, I’m Donna.
For much of my life, I wanted connection—but unfamiliar social situations were challenging.
As a child, I was painfully shy. Once I got to know someone, I was comfortable, but meeting new people, entering unfamiliar situations, and knowing what to say felt intimidating. As an identical twin, I also always had a built-in best friend, which meant I didn’t have to push myself to develop confidence meeting people on my own.
That changed when my career required me to travel, network, attend receptions, and walk into rooms full of people I didn’t know.
I realized I didn’t want discomfort to determine the experiences I had—or the life I lived.
So I learned.
I practiced techniques for starting conversations, joining groups, using approachable body language, and navigating unfamiliar situations. Over time, something surprising happened:
The more I practiced, the more confident I became.
Eventually, people were surprised when I told them I was once shy. I had learned that confidence wasn’t something I had to wait for, it was something I could build.
Those techniques became the foundation for Social Forward.
Today, I combine my personal experience with decades of experience in adult education, curriculum development, coaching, and facilitation to help others build the confidence to create meaningful connections and become part of communities where they belong.
I am also Mental Health First Aid Certified and designed Social Forward as an educational program that complements (not replace) the work of licensed mental health professionals.
My goal is simple:
To help others discover what I learned: you don’t have to become someone else to create connection. You just need the tools and confidence to take the first step.
Nothing brings me greater joy than watching someone realize: “I really can do this.”
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