Donna Davidson

Donna Davidson began her professional career as a Speech Pathologist, working with young children and their families in public schools in Massachusetts. Her expertise in working with preschool children led to her being named to the team that introduced the first special needs preschool classes in the state.

Today, as President and Chief Executive Officer of Easter Seals North Georgia (a role she’s held for nearly 30 years), Davidson continues to lead the way to full equity, inclusion, and access for young children, enriching education and expanding health care for nearly 5,000 children from birth to age five – 90% of whom live below the poverty level – across 44 counties in metropolitan Atlanta and northeast Georgia. The diversity of her Affiliate’s program beneficiaries and staff is to be commended, as is the array of services provided by her Affiliate which strengthens the health and development of children with and without disabilities, their families, and the greater community. These programs, developed under her leadership, include 11 inclusive childcare programs, including Early Head Start and Head Start Programs, where early diagnosis and essential early intervention services are a critical part of each day at these childcare centers. Additionally, all children and families enrolled in childcare programs at Easterseals North Georgia have a Family Service Advocate to help them locate and coordinate resources within the communities in which they live.

Davidson also administers the Part C Early Intervention Program for children with disabilities, ages zero through 3, in one of the largest health districts in Georgia. Nearly 800 infants and toddlers with disabilities receive services in their natural environments through this program. As an experienced pediatric specialist and an advocate of early education, Davidson knows first -hand that early intervention is the key to success for all children and, in particular, for children with disabilities. Annually, more than 94 percent of the children enrolled in programs at Easterseals North Georgia start kindergarten prepared and ready to meet with success.

She earned her Master of Education in speech pathology at Northeastern University in Boston and her Bachelor of Science in psychology and speech pathology at Boston College. Professionally, she has served as the Vice President of Government Relations for the Georgia Speech and Hearing Association, is a member of the American Speech and Hearing Association, and works with the Georgia legislature to fund disability and early childhood services.

Donna Davidson serves as Chair of the Easterseals Affiliate Leadership Council.