Donna began her professional career in the mid 80’s as the Director of Public Affairs for Windber Hospital and Windber Healthcare Foundation. In this role, she created and executed the first communications, marketing, and fundraising programs for the organization. One program that she started, Windber Spirit Classis, a charity golf outing, continues today. With consolidation of healthcare organizations in the Johnstown market, Gibson left healthcare to pursue a career in finance.
In 1992, Gibson began what would be a thirty-year career in financial services. Through her years she worked for USBancorp NKA Ameriserv Financial, Johnstown, Three Rivers Bank, Pittsburgh, Sky Bank, Pittsburgh, Huntington Bank, Pittsburgh, and her final position First National Bank. Throughout her banking career, she held positions in marketing, sales, human resources, training and development and regional sales manager. With each bank she held a senior leadership position.
Gibson has always had a passion for serving the communities where she lives and works. In 1999, she was recognized for her community leadership as the recipient of the Cambria County Athena Award. She aided with the revitalization of the John B. Gunter leadership program in Johnstown, served on the regional board of the American Red Cross, served on various chamber committees in Johnstown and Westmoreland Counties and soon to be working on a tourism committee for Somerset County. In 2023, she was recognized by Central PA Business Times and St. Francis University as one of the top 51 women making a difference. She was also recognized as the Outstanding Person of the Year by the Somerset County Chamber this same year.
In 2012, Gibson began volunteering at Flight 93 National Memorial which led to her becoming nominated to the non-profit partner board, Friends. Gibson served over 10 years in a volunteer capacity prior to becoming the Friends Executive Director in 2022. In her tenure with Friends, she has been enthusiastic about keeping the flight 93 story meaningful and relevant for current and future generations. As Board President Friends received approval through the Pa. Department of Economic Development as an Education organization offering out of school educational experiences for students in grades 4-12. This program provides tax benefits to businesses donating funds to education organizations. With the funding, friends fund a scholarship program, bringing students throughout Pa. to the memorial.
In partnership with the National Park Service, Gibson led Friends initiative to create and execute a National Day of Learning “Teach to Remember 9/11”. Programming and resources were developed and the program launched on 9/11/2023 and will be offered to educators each September 11 as a way of honoring and remembering the activities of that day.
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