Erika Donalds is a well-known education entrepreneur and former school board member in Florida. She is also the wife of Byron Donalds, a Republican congressman who represents Florida’s 19th district. But who are Erika Donalds parents and what do they do? In this article, we will explore the family background and personal life of Erika Donalds, as well as her achievements and contributions to the education sector.
Erika Donalds Mother: Gayla Blanton Lees
Erika Donalds was born on August 13, 1980, in Tampa, Florida. Her mother is Gayla Blanton Lees, who is the owner and president of The Real Connection Marketing Group, a company that provides marketing solutions for businesses and non-profit organizations. According to Stars Offline, Gayla is also a Hillsborough Community College alumna who worked as a marketing director of The Optima Foundation, a non-profit corporation that Erika Donalds founded and leads as the president and CEO.
Gayla is very supportive of her daughter’s endeavors and often shares her achievements and activities on social media. For example, on June 12, 2021, Gayla posted on Facebook, “So proud of my daughter Erika Donalds and her husband Byron Donalds for their dedication to our country and our community. They are both amazing leaders and role models for our children and grandchildren.”
Erika Donalds Father: Unknown
There is not much information available about Erika Donalds father. His name and occupation are not known to the public. However, it is possible that he is no longer alive, as Erika Donalds once posted a tribute to her grandfather, Linwood Dewalt Jr., who passed away in 2016, on Facebook and wrote, “He was the only father figure I ever had and I will miss him dearly.”
Erika Donalds Brother: Preston Lees
Erika Donalds has a younger brother named Preston Lees, who was born on July 15, 1983. He is a Full Sail University graduate who works as an art director at The Real Connection Marketing Group, the same company that his mother owns and runs. He is also a content specialist and competition service at Mt Brighton, a ski resort in Michigan. Preston is married to Ashley Lees, who is a teacher, and they have two children, Harper and Hudson.
Preston and Erika are very close and often spend time together with their families. Preston also supports his sister’s and brother-in-law’s political and educational causes. For instance, on November 3, 2020, he posted on Facebook, “So proud of my sister Erika Donalds and Byron Donalds for all they have accomplished and continue to do for our community and country. They are both amazing people and I am honored to call them family. Go vote!”
Erika Donalds Husband: Byron Donalds
Erika Donalds married Byron Donalds on March 15, 2003, after meeting him at Florida State University, where they both graduated with a degree in accounting in 2002. Erika also earned her master’s degree in accounting from the same university. Byron is a politician and entrepreneur who was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2020, representing Florida’s 19th district. He is also a former member of the Florida House of Representatives, where he served from 2016 to 2020.
Erika and Byron are a power couple who share the same vision and values for their community and country. They are both advocates for school choice, charter schools, and parental empowerment in education. They are also supporters of former President Donald Trump and his policies. Erika and Byron have been married for 18 years and have three sons, Damon, Darin, and Mason.
Erika Donalds Children: Damon, Darin, and Mason Donalds
Erika Donalds and Byron Donalds have three sons, who are all talented and accomplished in their own ways. Their eldest son, Damon, is a college football player who plays for the Holy Cross Crusaders in Massachusetts. He is a sophomore defensive lineman who graduated from the Community School of Naples. Their second son, Darin, is a high school student who attends the Mason Classical Academy, a charter school that Erika Donalds helped establish and serves as the board chair. Their youngest son, Mason, is a middle school student who also attends the Mason Classical Academy.
Erika and Byron are very proud of their sons and often share their achievements and milestones on social media. They also involve their sons in their political and educational activities, such as attending rallies, events, and meetings. Erika and Byron are dedicated to providing their sons with the best education and opportunities possible, as well as instilling in them the values of faith, family, and freedom.
Erika Donalds Career: Education Entrepreneur and Former School Board Member
Erika Donalds is a certified public accountant and a certified internal auditor who has worked in various fields, such as banking, insurance, and health care. However, her passion and expertise lie in the education sector, where she has made a significant impact and difference. Erika Donalds is the president and CEO of The Optima Foundation, a non-profit corporation that operates charter schools in Florida. She is also the co-founder and board chair of the Mason Classical Academy, a charter school in Naples that offers a classical education based on the Hillsdale College Barney Charter School Initiative.
Erika Donalds is also a former school board member of the Collier County Public Schools, where she served from 2014 to 2018. She was the only charter school parent on the board and advocated for school choice, accountability, and transparency. She also served on the Florida Constitution Revision Commission from 2017 to 2018, where she proposed several amendments to the state constitution related to education, such as allowing the state to authorize charter schools, requiring civics education, and prohibiting school board members from serving more than eight consecutive years.
Erika Donalds is a leader and a reformer who has dedicated her life and career to improving the quality and accessibility of education for all students and parents. She has received numerous awards and recognition for her work, such as the Champion of Education Reform Award from the Florida Charter School Alliance, the Trailblazer Award from the National Coalition for Public School Options, and the Woman of the Year Award from the Republican Women of Southwest Florida Federated. She is also a member of various organizations and boards, such as the Florida Charter School Alliance, the National Parents Union, and the Naples Children and Education Foundation.