Meet Our Founder
Founder
Powered by Projects was founded in 2025 by Donua McDaniel, a project manager and systems thinker driven by the belief that communities deserve coordinated solutions that last, not temporary fixes.
Donua brings experience supporting social good organizations, philanthropies, and public sector partners, with work focused on belonging, youth development, environmental justice, and community-centered systems change. Her background includes building an early warning system and coordinating a system of care for students within Houston Independent School District, aligning educators, service providers, and community partners around the well-being of all students.
She is a New Leaders Council alum (Class of 2020) and former Chapter Director, where she supported the development of progressive leaders across Houston, Texas.
Outside of her work, Donua is a proud Houston native and the eldest daughter in her family. She is a devoted dog mom, an avid traveler, and a passionate lover of hot yoga, cinema, and storytelling. Known for her curiosity and deep civic engagement roots, she approaches both life and work with the same energy, wonder, and desire to understand the world around her.
