Donna Frett-Gregory
Donna Frett-Gregory | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Member of the Virgin Islands Legislature | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| In office January 14, 2019 – January 13, 2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Succeeded by | Avery Lewis | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| President of the Virgin Islands Legislature | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| In office January 11, 2021 – January 9, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preceded by | Novelle Francis | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Succeeded by | Novelle Francis | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Vice President of the Virgin Islands Legislature | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| In office January 14, 2019 – May 15, 2019 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preceded by | Nereida Rivera-O’Reilly | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Succeeded by | Myron D. Jackson | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Commissioner of the Virgin Islands Department of Education | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| In office January 15, 2014 – January 5, 2015 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Governor | John de Jongh | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preceded by | LaVerne Terry | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Succeeded by | Sharon McCollum | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Personal details | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | October 4, 1966 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Party | Democratic | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Children | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Education | Western Governors University (MBA), Morgan State University (BSBA) University of the Virgin Islands (MPA) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Donna Alecia Frett-Gregory commonly known as DONNA or DFG is a St. Thomian politician who represented St. Thomas/St. John District in the Legislature of the Virgin Islands, from 2019 to 2025. She served as President of the 34th Virgin Islands Legislature, becoming the third woman in Virgin Islands history to lead the institution.[1]
In the 2026 elections, Donna is poised to become the second woman to potentially sought the Democratic nomination for governor after Donna Christensen, the longtime delegate to Congress. If successful in the general election, she would become the first woman to be elected USVI governor.[2]
Early life and education
A native of St. Thomas and graduate of the Charlotte Amalie High School, Class of 1983. Donna obtained her MBA from Western Governors University, MPA from the University of the Virgin Islands and a BSBA from Morgan State University. She earned a certificate in senior executive leadership from Harvard University John F. Kennedy School of Government and holds an advanced government finance certification from the Government Finance Officers Association.[1]
Career
Donna began her career in the 18th Virgin Islands Legislature where she worked as a central staffer. In 1994, she was elected to the Virgin Islands Board of Education.
Political career
During the 2018 election, Frett-Gregory was among the top women to dominate the race. She emphasized the need for senators to work together and offered solutions to stabilizing the economy and improving the government’s retirement system.[3]
As Senate President, Frett-Gregory closely collaborated with the Bryan administration. She overhaul much of the Legislature’s internal processes and was influential in creating subcommittees to address long-standing issues that allowed the passage of several legislation such as the 8% salary cut restoration to government employees, merger of Fire Services & EMS, GERS stabilization, and public utility reform.[4]
In July 2019, Frett-Gregory announced she would return the $1,000 donated to her 2018 campaign back to Jeffrey Epstien-tied Southern Trust Company, Inc. While doing so, Frett-Gregory stated that she does not support Epstein misconduct amid his recent allegations and won’t be affiliated with anyone that behaves in that manner.[5]
Personal life
Frett-Gregory is divorced and has four children and two grandchildren. In May 2022, Donna tested positive for COVID-19.[6]
References
- ^ a b "Senator Donna A. Frett-Gregory". Legislature of the Virgin Islands.
- ^ "Former Sen. Frett-Gregory seeks to legally change name to Donna, correcting birth record name Dorna". WTJX.
- ^ "Democrats, Women Rule the Senate Races". St. Thomas Source. November 7, 2018.
- ^ "Senator Donna Frett-Gregory". USVI Office of Health Information Technology. Retrieved August 15, 2025.
- ^ "Frett-Gregory is Third V.I. Politician to Relinquish Epstein-Tied Money". St. Thomas Source. July 16, 2019.
- ^ "Senate President Donna Frett-Gregory Tests Positive For Covid-19, Will Quarantine Until May 9". The Virgin Islands Consortium.