About the Author

Joe Donovan

Founding Partner and President, Donovan Group

Joe Donovan

Joe Donovan is the founding partner of the Donovan Group, where he oversees all facets of the firm’s operations. Working closely with the company’s accountants, attorney, and chief financial officer, Joe helps guide the organization’s strategic and financial direction while ensuring the firm delivers exceptional service to its clients.

In the early years of the Donovan Group, Joe personally partnered with hundreds of schools and districts to strengthen their communications efforts. Throughout his career, he has advised state superintendents, state legislators, mayors, and members of Congress on education and public policy matters, earning a reputation as a trusted strategist and communicator.

Joe’s leadership and service have been recognized with numerous state and national honors, including the Award of Special Recognition for Service to Wisconsin from the Wisconsin Association of School District Administrators, Recognition of Service to the State of Wisconsin and Public Education from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, and the Outstanding Alumnus Award from the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater School of Social Work.

Before founding the Donovan Group, Joe served as a partner and vice president of an education research firm. He was also the spokesperson for the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction and worked as a director in the office of U.S. Senator Herb Kohl.

Joe holds a Master of Arts in Educational Policy Studies from the University of Wisconsin–Madison and a Bachelor of Science in Social Work from the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater.

Through decades of experience in education policy, research, communications, and public service, Joe brings thoughtful leadership and a deep commitment to strengthening public education.

Our Principles

  • 1 We believe a high-quality public education is a human right and that all American children—regardless of race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin or ancestry, as well as that of their family—are entitled to a great public education.
  • 2 We believe public education is one of the fundamental elements of our democracy. It is one of the best ways for all of us to make use of the talents provided to us by our maker.
  • 3 We believe public education is changing and improving, and we believe that we can play a supporting role in fostering this change. We believe the best days of public education are yet to come.
  • 4 We believe that those who are part of this educational change understand the responsibility to ensure all students are served, including our most vulnerable students. In public education, when we say we serve “all” students, we truly mean all.
  • 5 We believe in honesty, transparency and forthrightness, and we understand the responsibility we have in providing taxpayers who invest in their public schools with outstanding value.
  • 6 We believe in respecting the unique talents, skills and gifts of every team member and working together to achieve goals on behalf of our clients and the students and families they serve.