By Jessie Buchanan, Help Me Grow Specialist

As the Early Learning Coalition of Northwest Florida (ELCNWF) celebrates our 20^th anniversary, we want to share an employee’s amazing story.

This July, Customer Support Specialist Donna Wood will reach an incredible milestone—20 years with ELCNWF!

But her story stretches even further, reflecting nearly 39 years of dedication to children, families, and the field of early childhood education. Her journey began in 1987 when she walked into the Bay County 4C Council simply looking for help to find work.

“Thirty-nine years ago, I sat on the other side of the table asking for help so I could find a job,” Donna shared.

That search led her to a substitute teaching role at Massalina Head Start—a position that opened the door to a lifelong career of service.

Over the years, Donna earned her national CDA, studied early childhood development at Gulf Coast State College, and took on roles from classroom teacher to community support coordinator. She even helped launch the Early Head Start program at Arnold High School.

Then in 2006, she joined the Early Learning Coalition, where she has spent the last two decades making a difference across Northwest Florida. Donna is the first to laugh about her wide range of roles.

“I’ve worked everywhere in the Coalition except finance,” she joked. “I guess you could say I’m a jack of all trades, but a master of none. I’ve tried to be a local support to every department because I know just enough to be able to help when needed.”

Now serving in Customer Support Services under Administrative Director Matt Bonner, Donna uses her experience to connect families to the resources they need.

“At this point in my life, I’m very happy to be working in administration again,” Donna said. “I love being able to assist customers when they first call and connect them with the right services.”

But Donna’s story is also deeply personal—it has become a family legacy. Her daughters Jennifer and Emily have both worked for the Coalition as well. In fact, Emily was the reason Donna first sought services decades ago, when she needed child care in order to return to work.

“Both my younger daughters, Emily and Brittany were raised up through early childhood education.” While Jennifer was in high school, she worked with one of our contracted child care centers in their afterschool program, Donna shared proudly. 

For Donna, one of her favorite memories at ELC will always be the full-circle moment of working alongside Jennifer and Emily.

“It’s a privilege and an honor—and it makes me proud—that they wanted to come back and want to serve families too. They have the love, and they understand the need for early childhood intervention and making sure these babies are ready for school. Helping those families—it’s phenomenal.”

Her dedication is rooted in both passion and faith.

 “The way I look at it, as long as I can touch one life, one family, and make a difference—I will continue to do what I’m doing,” Donna shared. “God has ordained and told me this is where I need to be. Until He tells me it’s time, I’m going to keep doing what He asks of me. The heart is still willing, and the Spirit still wants to make a difference.”

From substitute teacher to multi-generational mentor, Donna’s journey is a powerful reminder that when one person dedicates their life to service, the impact doesn’t just touch families—it inspires future generations.