Donna Martin

Donna Martin brings leadership and longevity to her role as Senior Director for State Partnerships and Innovation with the American Network of Community Options and Resources (ANCOR). Prior to joining ANCOR, Donna served as the Executive Director for Community Provider Network of RI, the state-wide association for providers of services to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. 

Ms. Martin began her career working as a Direct Support Professional while in college. She went on to graduate from Providence College and also holds a master’s degree in Education from Rhode Island College. In the years since, she has held positions at all levels of service organizations in both community living and supported employment services, including program management, case management, senior administration and as the Executive Director for a provider agency serving people in Rhode Island and Massachusetts.  

She began her work as the Director for Community Provider Network of Rhode Island in 2005 and during her tenure she led the provider community through challenging fiscal and regulatory times. She successfully cultivated relationships with legislators and state administrators that eventually led to the appropriation of funding increases for DSP wages and streamlined regulatory processes. She coordinated a formidable grassroots and lobbying campaign that has elevated the reputation of the association as one of the best organized advocacy entities within the state.   

Donna left the state association to join the team at ANCOR in 2019 and has had the privilege of supporting their member state associations along with an array of special projects since then.  

Donna is a life-long resident of Rhode Island and has a teenage son who has Autism. He is her greatest joy and has helped her understand the heart and soul of her professional life in a much deeper way. She brings her experience as a parent to her profession, and it has galvanized her advocacy and sensitivity to the needs of individual with disabilities and their families.