Donna

Donna is a Co-Founder of The Academic Salon, driven by a simple truth: there is no one-size-fits-all approach to learning. She believes that true development only happens when we look at a student as a whole person. By honoring each individual's unique nature, Donna has spent her career helping students maximize their innate strengths while giving them the practical tools and structure to grow where they need it most.

This philosophy inspired her to independently found Penny Tree Education, a bespoke educational concierge service for families seeking non-traditional learning experiences. Built on the core belief that true education extends far beyond a classroom, she believes that real-world environments offer an unparalleled capacity to individualize learning and support a child's holistic growth. Her approach is backed by a Master’s degree in Education, multi-state teaching credentials, and extensive experience in classroom teaching and curriculum development.

Today, Donna continues to channel that same entrepreneurial spirit and holistic focus into The Academic Salon. Together with the co-founding team, she is building a collaborative space where rigorous coursework meets an active environment of inquiry, mentorship, and hands-on challenges. Within this space, mentors help students weave their personal projects into a comprehensive Academic Portfolio. Meanwhile, Donna designs the clear academic pathways that anchor their growth—advising on course planning, managing transcripts, and ensuring every student’s non-traditional work seamlessly integrates into a credible, college-ready academic record that meets full compliance. By translating deep personal development into a recognized record of capability, she bridges the gap between innovative learning and future academic success.