Donna McFadden has provided exemplary service to DECA for more than 30 years as the Massachusetts DECA Chartered Association Advisor. Her dedication to her chartered association and DECA Inc. has led to exceptional contributions and a profound impact on students and educators alike. Her leadership, guidance, support and creative brilliance have reached DECA members and advisors at all levels.
Most notably, Massachusetts DECA has experienced remarkable membership growth as a result of her visionary leadership. In 2011, Donna participated in a DECA Membership Development Project where she began to strategically consider how Massachusetts DECA could provide the DECA experience to more students in her state. Since that year, Massachusetts DECA has been recognized with the Diamond Award fourteen times and as a top ten association for four years. Since 1994, Massachusetts DECA has quintupled student membership from 2,500 to 12,000 and tripled the number of chapters from 40 to 135. In addition, the Massachusetts DECA association conference has grown to provide exceptional educational opportunities from 750 student members to 3,600 student members. While the numbers are impressive, the most important accomplishment is that even more emerging leaders and entrepreneurs benefit as members of Massachusetts DECA.
In addition to serving Massachusetts DECA, Donna has dedicated time at the regional and international levels. Her leadership includes service on the North Atlantic Region Board of Directors and on the DECA Inc. Board of Directors, serving as Board President from 2024-2025. Donna has also volunteered on many DECA taskforces and committees, providing feedback to shape the organization’s programmatic and strategic direction. She also shares her strategies and best practices with fellow chartered association advisors at DECA’s Mastermind Conference. Donna received the DECA Inc. Outstanding Service Award in 2017.
Recognized as an exemplary leader by her colleagues, Donna values open dialogue, carefully considering different viewpoints, and works to ensure that every voice is heard. Her contributions, quest for continuous improvement and unwavering support to DECA members and advisors have made a lasting impact.
DECA congratulates Donna McFadden on receiving DECA's Honorary Life Membership Award!
