Raised on a small farm near Guernsey, Donna completed high school at Lanigan Central High and went on to receive a Medical Laboratory Technologist certificate at Kelsey Institute in Saskatoon.

After interning at the Royal University Hospital, and working full-time in the Microbiology, Donna got married and began farming in the LeRoy area where she raised three daughters.

First elected to the Legislature in 1999, Donna was re-elected in 2003, 2007, 2011, 2016 and 2020. She currently serves Saskatchewan as Deputy Premier and Minister of Finance.

Over the years, Donna has served as Minister of Government Relations and Minister responsible for First Nations, Métis and Northern Affairs. She has also served as Minister of Social Services, Minister responsible for Saskatchewan Housing Corporation and the Status of Women, Minister of Education, Minister of Crown Investments, Minister responsible for SGI, Minister responsible for Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority, and as Provincial Secretary.

Donna currently resides in Humboldt.