Awards

O'Neill School of Public & Environmental Affairs Distinguished Alumni Awards - 2001

About Donna R. McLean

Donna McLean is president of Donna McLean Associates, LLC, a Washington, DC based consulting firm specializing in transportation policy. McLean is known for her in-depth aviation and surface transportation knowledge and is an expert in federal financial issues.

Most recently, McLean was at the US Department of Transportation serving as the Assistant Secretary for Budget and Programs and Chief Financial Officer under Secretary Norman Y. Mineta. In her position, Donna was responsible for developing the President's budget request for the Department of Transportation. This involved evaluating all of DOT's activities and prioritizing the Secretary's agenda for each year.

She was involved in the development of the Administration's reauthorization proposals for both the aviation and the surface transportation modes. McLean was also intimately involved with the establishment of the Transportation Safety Administration (TSA). Until TSA transferred to the Department of Homeland Security, Donna made notable contributions in establishing the underpinnings of TSA, including establishing its overall objectives, budget structure, financial system, and key staffing decisions.

Prior to CFO of DOT, she was the Assistant Secretary of the Federal Aviation Administration. McLean was also a professional staff member of the U.S. House of Representatives, Transportation and Infrastructure Committee for nearly seven years. In addition, she has worked at the Office of Management and Budget on the President's budget as well as the regulatory agenda. This distinguished career has made her one of the most eminent authorities on transportation trust funds and transportation funding issues.

McLean received her Masters in Public Policy from Indiana University's School of Public and Environmental Affairs, her undergraduate bachelor's degrees in Political Science and Anthropology were also from Indiana University.