MANHASSET, NEW YORK, SEPTEMBER 28, 2018 Donna L. McNabb-Riley of Goose Creek, South Carolina has been recognized as a Rising Star by P.O.W.E.R. (Professional Organization of Women of Excellence Recognized) for her outstanding contributions and achievements in the fields of data system analysis, logistics and e-commerce. These women are up and coming in their professions. They have shown exceptional growth in a short period of time. We view these women as emerging leaders who inspire and motivate others to reach for the stars.
ABOUT DONNA L. MCNABB-RILEY
Donna McNabb-Riley retired after 29 years of outstanding selfless service with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Air Force Reserve and retired as a Data System Analyst after 22 years with county governmental support services. While in military service, her actions exemplified “service before self.” Her last assignment was as Wing Inspector General, where she was responsible for the management of all mission readiness, support and operations. Donna is a highly decorated recipient of the United States Armed Forces Bronze Medal, given for heroic achievement, heroic service, meritorious achievement or meritorious service in a combat zone.
In keeping with “service before self,” Donna is currently lending newly acquired entrepreneurship skills in support of DRiles Dynamic Solutions, LLC which offers online business training education. She has also started a spiritual blog that addresses questions seminary students posed about the bible, as well as those posed by her followers with assistance of church, family, friends and colleagues: gettingspiritualwithdonna.xyz
Donna’s actual start was in computer programming, although the Air Force was always her first choice. She was sitting at home watching television and the Air Force commercial caught her attention. The very next day she set out to make it her target. Donna received excellent advice from co-workers who were fulfilling two careers goals. She wanted that too. After finishing her bachelor’s degree, she tested for the Air Force Officer program. Before her retirement, Logistics was her field of expertise and an additional field of Operational Readiness Inspector General. Both fields cover critical multi-task movements. Within the field of Logistics there is cargo handling, processing, upload and download operations, vehicle operation and maintenance, passenger services, petroleum oils and lubricants, and warehouse supplies for both peacetime and wartime support materials.
After obtaining an A.S. in Mortuary Science from Florida International University in 2002, Donna then obtained a B.A., and then a M.A. in Human Resources and Business from Barry University in 2003.
Although her biggest battle lies ahead of her, a bilateral lung transplant, Donna continues to put the service of others first and volunteers. She is a member of Compassion International. Donna tutors adults to help them with getting their GED. She embraces volunteer opportunities to hone her religious knowledge and enjoys joyous fellowship services along with donating to church committee charities. Donna enjoys spending her spare time with family, crafting, reading, doing puzzles, landscaping, planting and playing with her pets.
Donna credits her mother as her mentor and states that she continues to occupy that position today. She can still remember what her mother wrote in her 2nd grade autograph book, “If you can take it, you can make it.”