First Black woman executive officer at Nationwide - Speaking Of People - Nationwide Strategic Investments - Brief Article

Ebony, Oct, 2003

DONNA A. JAMES is the first African-American woman president of Nationwide Strategic Investments. She is responsible for GatesMcDonald, Nationwide Advantage Mortgage, Nationwide Health Plans and the Strategic Investment Fund. James most recently served as executive vice president and chief administrative officer.

She previously was Nationwide's senior vice president for human resources, vice president and assistant to the chairman and CEO, and director of investment products. The new president is on the board of directors for the Limited Brands, Inc. She is a member of the United Way of America's board of governors, the national board of advisors of North Carolina A&T State University School of Business, and the Bennett College board of trustees. James holds a bachelor's degree in accounting from North Carolina A&T State University. She is married to Attorney Larry James. They live in Columbus, Ohio, with their two sons, Christopher Michael and Justin Michael.