Lisa Donohue ’83
Board President Lisa Donohue ’83 describes her time in Milton’s classrooms and playing fields as outstanding. However, it is her senior project—an unpaid internship at a small, Boston-based advertising and marketing agency—that remains one of her most transformational experiences. “I took the subway into the agency then came back for track practice. It was wonderful; it reaffirmed what I wanted to do.” After graduating from Brown University, Lisa began her career with Leo Burnett in Chicago. She rose through the ranks there and at other agencies—most recently as a CEO at Publicis, advising Fortune 500 companies around the globe.
Lisa credits Milton with helping her to think critically, essential in understanding her clients’ industries, while Milton’s diverse student body gave her exposure to working with people from different backgrounds. “There was a certain confidence Milton gave me early on, a confidence that the broader experience instills,” Lisa says. “After Milton, you can tackle anything.” Lisa gives back to Milton in many ways, including naming the School in her will. “I want others to have the same experiences I had and to experience not only professional success but success as a person.”
