About the author
Donna Valentino was born and raised in Queens, New York. After graduating from high school in 1979, she worked full time in various companies, building a strong foundation of professionalism and discipline. In 1987, she married and soon welcomed two children, Nikki and Jordan, into her life. Donna poured her heart into motherhood—coaching her son’s soccer team, managing both children’s basketball teams, and serving actively in the PTA. Alongside family life, she pursued her love of tennis, playing competitively with close friends for seventeen years. Professionally, she also held a leadership role as a Human Resources Director for two years.
On February 7, 2009, Donna’s life took an unexpected and devastating turn. A traumatic brain injury upended everything she once knew. The physical activities she loved became impossible. Time with her children was put on hold. A budding relationship with someone special came to an abrupt end. Yet, out of this life-altering event, a new chapter began to unfold. After years of intense recovery, relearning, and rebuilding, Donna emerged with a renewed sense of self and purpose. She chronicled her journey in her first book, “Headstrong: Surviving a Traumatic Brain Injury without Losing My Mind,” sharing her raw and powerful story of resilience.
Determined to give back, Donna began volunteering at BIND (Brain Injury Network of Dallas), a nonprofit organization dedicated to long-term support for brain injury survivors. There, she read her book aloud to members who could no longer read due to their injuries and led writing workshops for those who wished to express themselves creatively. These experiences deepened her sense of connection, compassion, and advocacy for others navigating similar challenges.
Donna continued her healing journey by embracing new opportunities. She became an entrepreneur with a product brokerage/internet marketing company, focusing on health, wealth and beauty—fields that allowed her to merge her personal passion with helping others feel their best, inside and out..
Her second book, “Heartstrong: Overcome Your Obstacles and Live Life to the Fullest,” expands on her story by revisiting her traumatic childhood, her marriage, her emotional reunion with her father and brother after twenty-seven years of estrangement, and ultimately, her rediscovery of God.
Donna’s relationship with God has been the cornerstone of her recovery and renewal. Faith gave her the strength to endure hardship, the courage to start again, and the grace to embrace her “new me” with hope and perseverance.
Today, Donna’s life is a living testimony to resilience, faith, and determination. She continues to inspire others through her writing, speaking, and mentoring, encouraging people to face adversity head-on, rediscover their true selves, and live fully with faith as their guide.