Biographie
Donna Drake is an international award-winning creative artist, writer, producer, SAG actor and influencer. She is the creator and host of The Donna Drake Show: Live it Up! a weekly, 60-minute television and digital talk series. Airing across the US and in 25 countries, The Donna Drake Show, produced by Drake Media Network, Inc is a two-time Telly Award winner, focusing on topics of hope, motivation and resilience through empowering conversations. Now in its 13th year, The Donna Drake Show features interviews with celebrity entertainers, sports legends, top journalists, business moguls, authors, motivational speakers, medical professionals, health and wellness experts, beauty and fashion icons, chefs, non-profit groups and everyday heroes sharing their stories of triumph, inspiration and perseverance. As the head of Drake Media Network, Inc. Donna specializes in content strategy and video content production, facilitating cross-platform media experiences for national and international brands such as Green Mountain Coffee, Coca-Cola, The Melting Pot, professional sports teams and celebrities. Drake Media Network provides flawless execution from strategy to deliverables in broadcast, promos, commercials, print, social media, storytelling and events. Drake Media Network is also the creator of OTSN, The Online Trade Show Network and Virtual Gala Network. In 2020, Donna founded Drake Media Studios, a full-service production studio for film, television, podcasting, digital content and events. Available for rentals, Drake Media Studios is located in Melville on Long Island, in the former WLNY-TV studio space, where Donna began her career in television. A native of St. Louis, Missouri, spent her early career at Technisonic Studios, selecting music and sound effects for radio and television commercials. She went on to produce and host various television, film and multimedia projects, including her popular public-access show "Indies Insider" featuring intimate discussions with film directors and actors and the art world podcast "After Party." Donna followed her passion for art and music to New York and became an active voiceover talent and actress with a lengthy stage and screen résumé. She also has served as director of creative services for WLNY-TV on Long Island, creating exclusive promotions for "The Oprah Winfrey Show," "Wheel of Fortune," "Jeopardy!" and other popular programs. She later served as director of client communications at the strategic marketing firm Progressive Marketing Group, where she developed client branding messages and hosted numerous successful podcasts. Donna is a former college professor specializing in new media and broadcasting at Five Towns College and has been tapped to lecture at NYIT, Hofstra and LIU. In 2006, she authored her first inspirational book, "Got Cancer? Just Roll Over and LIVE," a memoir dedicated to her second husband, Tom LaScala, and recently penned a featured chapter in the best-selling book, "Manifesting Your Dreams Inspiring Words of Encouragement, Strength, & Perseverance" as collected by Marla McKenna. She also tours as a speaker using her developed principles of FOCUS (Figuring Out Consistent Unique Strengths) and her TEDx and presentation infuses her celebrity content and her own inspirational story to help others find their own personal "It" in life. A tireless fundraiser, Donna is regularly booked to keynote and emcee events for charities, fundraisers and business functions, creating the Huntington Arts Council's Laff-Off Comedy Competition and Got Talent? Competitions. She is an active member of Futures of America, the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists and in 2020, Donna was one of the Named Top 50 Most Influential Business Women by LIBN. She has been honored with the British Airways "Face to Face" award for best entrepreneur and received the Goddess Artemis Award from the Euro-American Women's Council and a Global Citizenship award from the United Nations.
