Photo: Donna Finley, left, stands in the State Capitol open-air rotunda during Chamber Days in Austin 2013 with Kim Luna, Roger Van Horn and Lindsey Mathews.
The Nacogdoches County Chamber board of directors has named Donna Finley as the recipient of the C. Wayne Mitchell Business Advocacy Award sponsored by SERVPRO of Lufkin/S. Nacogdoches County. Donna will be recognized at The Chamber’s 103rd Annual Meeting & Membership Banquet on Sept. 23 at The Fredonia Hotel & Convention Center.
For 18 years, Donna co-owned Casa Tomas restaurant and is a current co-owner of The Shack and Austin Hall located on North St. She considers the chamber’s advocacy award as an honor of a lifetime, and she gave a look into her experience as an advocate and leader in the following interview.
Q: How did you get a start in the area of advocacy?
A: It all goes back to my first leadership role of having the honor of leading my elementary school in prayer. A few years later while still in elementary school, I had a near death drowning experience. While experiencing the drowning I did not panic but gave myself to God, and He allowed me to be rescued. I have always known that He let me live to serve and help others.
Those experiences influenced my choices throughout my life. I believe that every child deserves the opportunity to feel valued and have a safe place to go to after school. I feel so strongly about this that I have served over 30 years on the Boys and Girls Club board of directors, and I am the currently the local board president. If I ever need motivation to keep helping, I just drive by and watch the smiles on the students faces when they get off the school bus and run into the club; it will touch your heart.
Q: What are the highlights of your involvement with the Nacogdoches County Chamber?
A: The Chamber of Commerce is a great organization that I have been involved with since the late 1990s. I served on the board of directors for six years and was honored to serve as chair of the board in 2008-2009. Afterwards I became involved in the Government Affairs committee and am currently serving as co-chairman.
Former chamber President/CEO Bruce Partain always reminded the board that we were a non-partisan board representing all the chamber members regardless of ethnicity, religion or political affiliation. I have kept that in mind as I worked on issues in Nacogdoches and in Austin. I am very proud of my involvement with the Lone Star Legislation Summit, which showcases Nacogdoches, SFA and the East Texas area. LSLS has become the largest gathering of legislators outside Austin during non-legislative years. State Representative Travis Clardy and Senator Robert Nichols worked countless hours making this event what it is today, and the chamber looks forward to working with State Representative Joanne Shofner as we prepare for LSLS 2026.
Q: Are there other areas where you serve in the community?
A: The Rotary Club of Nacogdoches has played a huge role in my life. I have made lasting friendships and served as President from 2020-2021 (the COVID year). Rotary promotes unity and peace throughout the world while working to eradicate polio.
Q: Who would you like to thank or recognize?
A: There are many people that I credit for shaping me into the person I am today. First of all, loving and giving parents, and grandparents that taught me about God. The many wonderful teachers that taught me that being involved was a civic responsibility. A special thanks to K. C. Mirazimi for being a supportive business partner during all my advocacy projects. I have formed lasting friendships during my volunteer work, and I especially want to thank Betty Shinn who introduced me to the chamber world.
Q: What advice or encouragement would you like to give to emerging leaders?
A: To be a great advocate, you not only say yes but you inspire others to say yes when asked to be involved. I feel working and learning from others is the best bond and formation of friendship. I hope I have inspired others to approach life, and all endeavors with a positive rather than negative attitude. We live in a very divided world currently, but we all need to become inspired to be more reasonable and learn to listen to all sides of a situation. God loves all his children and as his children, lets learn to love each other. So I remind everyone to say yes the next time, someone asks you to volunteer in the Oldest Town in Texas.
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For information about the Nacogdoches County Chamber of Commerce 103rd Annual Meeting & Membership Banquet, call 936-560-5533. Seating is limited.
