Donna BeegleSpeaker and Booking Agent Information

Her family and her work on breaking poverty barriers is expected to be featured in an upcoming PBS documentary titled: Invisible Nation. Donna was also a guest speaker on CNN's The Other America segment.

For 20 years, Donna has worked with educators, justice professionals, health care providers, social service agencies, and other organizations across the nation who want to make a difference for those living in the crisis of poverty. Donna was selected 2008 National Speaker of the Year by the New Mexico State Bar Foundation.

Portland State University's School of Social Work dedicated the Donna M. Beegle Community Classrooms in her honor in 2010. Donna received the 2011 Oregon award for excellence in ethical business practice.

Donna's response was, “I am proud to live in a state where fighting poverty is the ethical thing to do.” Donna is the only member of her family who has not been incarcerated. After growing up in generational migrant labor poverty, left school for marriage at 15, had two children and continued to cope with poverty.

At 25, she suddenly found herself with no husband, little education, and no job skills. What followed were: self-confidence, a G.E.D., an A.A. in Journalism, a B.A. (with honors) in Communications, a Master's Degree in Communication with a minor in Gender Studies (with honors), and completion of a Doctorate Degree.

Donna is the president of Communication Across Barriers, a consulting firm devoted to improving communication and relationships across poverty barriers. Donna is also the founder of The Poverty Bridge Project, which provides direct opportunities for people living in the crisis of poverty.