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Donna Gaukler
Donna Gaukler
01:21

Donna Gaukler

Missoula Parks and Recreation

Missoula, MT USA

"If we can each believe in ourselves that we have something to give others, I think we get back so much more in return."

Career Roadmap

Donna's work combines: Environment & Nature, Government, and Working with Others

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Day In The Life

Director

I lead the maintenance, development, and administration of programs of city parks and recreation for Missoula, Montana.

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Day In The Life Of A Director Of Parks And Recreation

My Day to Day

My day-to-day work varies based on the time of year and the social or environmental issues at hand. I'm here to see what people and place need to provide better opportunity. A typical day for me could include six to eight hours of meetings, site visits, and special events. I spend a lot of time with people, whether in person or through phone calls about various parks and recreation issues.

Skills & Education

Advice for getting started

I've been asked by two city mayors to leave my work in parks and recreation because I'd be a bad influence as a gay woman. It was discouraging and I wasn't sure that I was going to be able to make it in this career. However, I learned to believe that most people are good. You just have to find those good people who'll support you. It's also important to believe in yourself. You're the one person you have to live with, so believe you can do it and you will.

Here's the path I took:

  • High School

  • Bachelor's Degree

    Parks and Recreation

    Undergraduate

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Life & Career Milestones

My path in life has been direct

  • 1.

    I started working in parks and recreation when I was in high school—I worked for the park district in Lidgerwood, North Dakota.

  • 2.

    After high school, I pursued architecture but ultimately decided that I wanted to keep working in parks and recreation.

  • 3.

    I’ve since built my career in parks and recreation.

  • 4.

    I currently work as the director for the parks and recreation department for Missoula, Montana, where my goal is to provide inclusionary places and programs for everyone.

  • 5.

    Additionally, I serve on the mayor’s senior leadership team and I lead the city’s climate strategies as well as its justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI) strategies.

Defining Moments

How I responded to discouragement

  • THE NOISE

    Messages from Peers:

    You need to step away from your work because you're going to be a bad influence as a gay person.

  • How I responded:

    I've been asked by two city mayors to leave my work in parks and recreation because I'd be a bad influence as a gay woman. It was discouraging and I wasn't sure that I was going to be able to make it in this career. However, I learned to believe that most people are good. You just have to find those good people who'll support you. It's also important to believe in yourself. You're the one person you have to live with, so believe you can do it and you will.

Experiences and challenges that shaped me

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  • I lost my dad when I was 19 and wasn't sure I was going to be able to finish college because of a lack of resources. I shared my concerns with my professor and he was able to get me a job on campus so that I could continue.

  • As a gay woman, I've been asked to leave my work in parks and recreation because I'd be a bad influence on young people. It was discouraging but I learned to trust in humanity. As long as you believe in yourself, you'll make it through.

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