Executive Director
Brief info
In January 2024, Donna Gallup, Ed.D., MSW, Executive Director stepped into the role of Executive Director, bringing with her a wealth of experience in nonprofit management and a proven record of transformative leadership. With a background in transitioning nonprofits, Donna has already set in motion several key initiatives aimed at broadening our impact and effectiveness.
Notably, her departure from the position of full-time CEO at American Family Housing in 2017 followed the successful completion of the award-winning Potter’s Lane shipping container project for homeless veterans. She was appointed as CEO of American Family Housing to facilitate the transition from the founder, who was retiring, and oversaw the completion of the pioneering shipping container project for homeless individuals in the country.
First Day marks the third nonprofit organization in Southern California that Dr. Gallup has transitioned. Previously, in 2010, she assumed leadership at Lamp Community following incidents of violence and steered the agency's growth from $4.3 million to over $10 million by 2014.