Donald Vincent (He/him)

Deputy Director, Marketing – LD & IM
CA/PST

Work History

Donald Vincent is a poet, educator, musician, and advocate for sustainability. Donald served as the subject matter expert for FEMA Region I’s efforts in Cybersecurity, Community Outreach, Continuity Planning, and overall National Preparedness. In 2017, he received FEMA’s highest honor, the Regional Administrator’s Award for Programmatic Excellence. Donald then served as PEN America’s Community Outreach Coordinator for PEN’s Press Freedom Advocacy program in New York. His work for PEN contributed to protecting journalism and working to champion freedom of expression in the U.S. and globally by organizing festivals, events, workshops, and by conducting research in support of press freedom.

Shortly after building a supportive climate for journalists throughout the country, Donald moved to Los Angeles to teach Rhetoric, Professional Writing, Public Speaking, and Media Arts courses at UCLA, Emerson College – Los Angeles, and University of La Verne. Prior to starting at CALSTART, he was the lead copywriter for City National Bank, where he strategically developed, planned, and executed marketing materials. He played a key role in creating the bank’s verbal identity, including the voice and tone of all marketing efforts to effectively reach diverse audiences.

Donald brings his talent for clear, engaging storytelling to CALSTART and will be invaluable as we continue to grow and strengthen our brand. He thoroughly enjoys solving problems through storytelling. In between his professional endeavors, Donald has released music and a collection of poems, titled Convenient Amnesia. When he is not in a classroom or crusading for clean transportation, he can be found at an art gallery with his family or working on his next plant-based recipe.

Education & Certifications

• M.F.A. in Creative Writing, Emerson College
• B.A. in Writing and Public Relations, Loyola University Maryland

Work Approach

My work approach consists of bringing creative energy, strategic insight, and a passion for brand management to marketing and communications. I believe in creativity as a tool for change to challenge perspectives and promote dialogue around important social issues.