Donna Sodipo is the senior vice president of education at CPBN. She monitors all educational programming, curriculum development, fundraising and strategic communications. Having worked more than 20 years in education, youth development and non-profit management, Donna’s strong leadership has given her valuable experience and creative skills with her students and staff.
Donna’s vision for CPBN Education led to the launch of the Learning Lab, as she pioneered a partnership with Hartford Public Schools and the Journalism & Media Academy Magnet School, as well as the Institute for Advanced Media. “Seeing other people succeed has always been a motivating factor for me professionally and has brought joy to my life,” she says.
Before arriving at CPBN, Donna was vice president of integrated programs and director of talent development and experiential learning with Our Piece of the Pie Incorporated (OPP) in Hartford and served as director of sponsor relations at the Jackie Robinson Foundation. She has also held positions at the University of Connecticut and the Manchester Board of Education.
Donna established a youth development consulting firm and has written curricula for educational alternatives, partnership development and diversity training.
She earned her B.A. in history from Central Connecticut State University and her master’s degree in education leadership from the University of Connecticut. She has many other professional affiliations, including her position as fundraising chair and trustee for the Social Enterprise Trust and a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha, Epsilon Omicron Chapter. Donna also serves on the board of directors for the Knox Foundation, which provides small grants to non-profit organizations working to address the socio-economic and cultural needs in the city of Hartford. Donna was appointed by former Connecticut Governor Jodi Rell to serve on the Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee and is an alumni of the Leadership Greater Hartford Quest.