Vicki Donlan

Vicki Donlan is a business and health coach assisting executives and business owners in achieving excellence in what they do. Her extensive experience working with small businesses, growing and selling her own, and having a far-reaching network cause her to be a resource every businesswoman and entrepreneur needs.

She is the former publisher and founder of Women’s Business, a 25,000 controlled-circulation newspaper devoted to women in business in the Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island region, founded in 1998, and sold to the Boston Herald in 2004, remaining as publisher through 2007.

Her first book, HER TURN Why It’s Time for Women To Lead in America, was published in September 2007. She is a regular guest discussing women in business on New England Cable News’ Business Day and a well-known speaker.

Ms. Donlan was the first Executive Director of The Commonwealth Institute, a nonprofit organization founded by twelve prominent Boston women CEOs to assist women entrepreneurs in the growth of their businesses. In this role, she facilitated CEO forums to assist in the growth of $250,000 to over $20M small businesses.

As co-founder and first Executive Director of the South Shore Women’s Business Network and founder of The Alliance of Women’s Business and Professional Organizations, Ms. Donlan has been instrumental in the growth of networking for women entrepreneurs and corporate leaders. She was honored by the U.S. Small Business Administration as the Massachusetts and New England Women in Business Advocate for 1994 for her efforts in working with women in small to medium size businesses. In 1997, she was honored with the South Shore Women’s Business Network ‘s Women Mean Business Award for her continuing efforts to help women achieve business success. The Boston YWCA inducted her into their Women of Achievement Class of 1999 and she was honored, June 2000, with the Massachusetts Women’s Political Caucus’ Abigail Adams Award as an outstanding Massachusetts woman. Pine Manor College recognized her at its 2001 graduation with an honorary Doctors of Letters degree as its most distinguished alumnae. Patriots’ Trail Girl Scout Council recognized her as a 2002 Leading Woman. The Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce honored her with its Achievement in Business at the 2002 Pinnacle Awards. And, in 2004 Big Sister Association of Greater Boston honored her at its Annual Gala event. In 2005 Bryant University recognized her as the New England Businesswoman of the Year.

At the community level, Ms. Donlan is the former Entrepreneur in Residence at Bridgewater State University, former president of the Patriots’ Trail Girl Scout Council and served on the Advisory Board of Key Bank and the Campaign Cabinet for the United Way of Massachusetts Bay. She currently serves on the Advisory Boards for Leading Women, the Center for Women and Enterprise, the Center for Entrepreneurship Studies at Bridgewater State College and Delfigo Security Systems. Ms. Donlan is a Recreation Commissioner for the Town of Hingham.