Donna K. Gower

Donna Gower is director of major gifts at Kansas Health Science University in Wichita, Kansas. A Houston native, she has more than 20 years of experience in nonprofit fundraising, grant writing, and donor relations.

Gower's appreciation for Willa Cather began with an in-depth author study project during high school: "Immersing myself in her works allowed me to truly grasp the depth of her storytelling and her profound understanding of human resilience," she said.

"I'm passionate about the mission of the National Willa Cather Center because it thoughtfully preserves and advances Cather’s work. Its focus on education and community engagement ensures her writing remains relevant and accessible, allowing new audiences to engage with the depth and insight that have shaped my own understanding of literature."