Donna Raynor has dedicated decades of her life to leadership and service in athletics. She is a former president of the Bermuda National Athletics Association and is now a World Athletics Council Member. Through her work with World Athletics’ Gender Leadership Taskforce and as Chair of the NACAC Gender Leadership Committee, she continues to advocate for greater representation of women in sport.
Raynor recently reflected on the experiences that have shaped her journey, the barriers she has had to overcome, and why supporting the next generation of women leaders in athletics matters now more than ever.
You have spent decades in athletics administration and leadership. What first inspired you to pursue a career in this space?
"I have been involved in athletics since the age of 14. After earning a track scholarship, returning to Bermuda and representing the country in competition, I became increasingly aware that our athletics programme was beginning to decline. Determined to contribute to its revival, I chose to become involved from an administrative standpoint. I subsequently ran for the position of President and served in that role for 12 years, during which I worked to restore and strengthen the programme. Having stepped down, I felt a strong desire to contribute at the international level and therefore pursued a position on the World Athletics Council, following my service on NACAC committees and World Athletics commissions."
Looking back on your journey, which experiences or moments shaped you most as a leader?
"Building a strong team, cultivating meaningful relationships within my community – particularly with the media – earning the respect of those around me, and supporting Bermudian athletes in achieving their goals are all matters of deep importance to me. These principles play a significant role in shaping my leadership and informing the manner in which I serve others."
What barriers did you encounter as a woman rising through sports governance, and how did you overcome them?
"As a woman, I often felt that I had to work much harder to earn respect, be taken seriously, and prove myself. I put myself forward for several board positions, including our national organizing committee, and I was never afraid to share my opinions during meetings. I also submitted ideas and led committees to demonstrate that I had a great deal to contribute and that I was knowledgeable. There were times when I had to make a deliberate effort to ensure that my voice was heard. I faced similar challenges in my professional life, so I brought that same determination into sport – pushing hard to make sure my voice was heard, respected and valued."
Was there a defining moment when you realized your voice and influence could help create opportunities and change for other women in sport?
"Fortunately, most of my team has been women, and throughout my career I have made it a priority to help women develop their skills because I have always believed that is important. As I mentioned earlier, women often have to give more than 100% to prove themselves. Having held leadership roles in both my professional life and athletics, and having faced many challenges myself, I wanted to make the path easier for other women by sharing my experiences and how I overcame those obstacles."
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