Updates on Rotary District 5470
Some people build successful businesses. Others devote themselves to serving their communities. A rare few dedicate their lives to doing both while inspiring others along the way. Donna L. Hood is one of those people.
Raised with a strong work ethic and an unwavering belief that leadership is measured by service, Donna began her professional journey in the sciences. After graduating Cum Laude from Harcum College with an Associate Degree in Medical Technology, she earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Villanova University.
In 1982, Donna helped launch Jackson ImmunoResearch Laboratories, Inc., helping grow the company from five employees into an internationally respected biotechnology leader while serving in positions ranging from laboratory technician to Chief Financial Officer. Today, her husband Ralph continues to oversee the laboratory's operations on the East Coast while Donna has devoted herself to new chapters of leadership and service.
Following a visit to Colorado's Wet Mountain Valley, Donna and Ralph purchased what became A Painted View Ranch. Since retiring in 2008, Donna has spent twenty-two years building and managing the ranch into one of Colorado's premier working horse ranches and event venues.
Her love of Western heritage led her to become a preservation breeder of the Nokota® horse and a leader within the Nokota Horse Conservancy. As she prepared to serve as District Governor, Donna made the heartfelt decision to donate her Nokota horses back to the Conservancy, ensuring their valuable bloodlines would continue to be preserved for future generations.
Recognizing the demands of leading Rotary District 5470, Donna also made the difficult decision to place A Painted View Ranch on the market. Over the past nine months she prepared the ranch for its next chapter, choosing to simplify her responsibilities so she could devote her full attention, energy, and heart to serving the clubs and communities of District 5470 during her Governor year.
Donna's Rotary journey has included service as Club President, Assistant Governor, District Treasurer, Foundation leader, Action Plan Champion, and numerous district leadership roles. She now has the privilege of serving as District Governor of Rotary District 5470, where she is committed to strengthening clubs, developing leaders, expanding Rotary's reach, telling Rotary's story, and creating lasting impact throughout southern and western Colorado.
She represented Rotary internationally at the 2026 Rotary International Convention in Taipei, Taiwan, where she experienced firsthand the fellowship that unites more than one million Rotarians around the world.
Throughout every chapter of her life—from biotechnology executive, to ranch owner, to preservation breeder, to District Governor—the common thread has remained the same: building, preserving, and leaving every organization stronger than she found it.