NAPO-LA A Tribute to Donna McMillan; "Making a Difference in the World"

When

Tuesday, November 9, 2021

5:00 pm PST, 8:00 pm EST

This memorial is open to the public and will be recorded.

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https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83898191427?pwd=NmIrSHRNb2R0TW4wcFV4SzY0ZDhXUT09

Meeting ID: 838 9819 1427
Passcode: 118149

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Meeting ID: 838 9819 1427
Passcode: 118149

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In Remembrance of Donna McMillan;
“Making a Difference in the World” 
1947 – 2021 

We are saddened to share the news that, after a hard-fought and courageous battle with cancer, our NAPO Los Angeles colleague Donna Dean McMillan passed away Thursday, September 30, 2021. Donna will be remembered for her many contributions to friends personally and professionally not only in our Chapter, but in many area networking business groups and NAPO National. Donna was loved and her positive upbeat personality will be dearly missed.  

Donna was born in Great Bend, Kansas and grew up on a family farm driving tractors and trucks and helping during harvest. She attended Fort Hayes State University.  

Donna spent over 20 years in insurance adjusting, property management and sales and moved to West Los Angeles in 1977.  For 5 years, she operated and managed her own home-based business for Mary Kay Cosmetics.  

In 1984, Donna formed McMillan & Company Professional Organizing in West Los Angeles where she served clients locally, nationally and internationally. She and her team worked to empower every client and help them gain control of their time, space and paperwork in their home office, and personal life. When her business was seven years old, in 1991, Donna discovered NAPO, the National Association of Productivity & Organizing Consultants (formerly, National Association of Professional Organizers) through a radio interview, and joined shortly after. Donna was a highly-active member in NAPO and NAPO-LA for three decades and held numerous Chapter Board positions including President for two-terms. She also served as Director on NAPO National’s National Board of Directors and on numerous national committees.  

Early in her career, Donna pioneered presenting seminars and workshops for companies, organizations, and colleagues including the topic of organizing and efficiency for businesses and homes. She taught at NAPO National Conferences, for the University of Hawaii and was invited to hold Training Courses for new Professional Organizers in Holland, as well as serving as a Keynote Speaker.   

In addition, Donna has been featured as an expert Professional Organizer and Productivity Consultant on local and national television, newspapers, magazines, and books. Always very generous, Donna shared her “Together We Are Better” ideology where she mentored hundreds of professional organizers into building successful and thriving businesses.  

Donna’s service for NAPO was distinguished with the National “Founders Award” in 1998 for “outstanding contributions to the organizing profession” as well as being awarded “Best Organizing Coach or Mentor” for the Los Angeles Organizing Awards in 2007.  

Donna was a true believer in building strong relationships, believing “networking is priceless!” She was a proud member of Los Angeles Clubs, networking groups, the Westside Professional Businesswoman’s Association, LeTip International, the Bel-Air Chapter and Executive LeTip of West LA, the West LA Chamber of Commerce and the National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization (NSGCD) where Donna received a certificate in Chronic Disorganization, Level 1 / CD Specialist.  

Never one to let the grass grow under her feet, in 2006, Donna and her business partner Karen Simon formed Island Organizers, a professional organizing and technology services company serving Hawaii and in 2007, Hawaii Association of Professional Organizers (HAPO),  a non-profit corporation by and for professional organizers, manufacturers, distributors and retailers of organizing services & products. In 2020, a lifelong dream of Donna’s was accomplished when she and her business partner Karen co-authored “Solving The Organizing Puzzle: How to Become & STAY Organized,” culminating in their 35-years of teaching and coaching experience.  

Besides her career, Donna loved spending quality time with her family and friends. She had a real zest for life, positive, upbeat, and always a true friend. Those who followed Donna’s struggle with cancer remarked on her strength against all odds and incredible equanimity. Donna was an example for all of us and truly made a difference in our world.