Timeline

The St. Louis Public Library hosted the first talk and book signing on March 21, 2012. Due to advance press, over two hundred turned out for cocktails and some right brain exploration.

After hearing Bill Donius speak about the non-dominant hand writing process, I was utterly captivated and wanted to learn more. While I think of myself as a right-brain-creative-type, I knew Bill’s thought revolution was just what I needed to get “unstuck” from my creative rut. In just 45 minutes, he helped me uncover the idea I was waiting for. As I prepare my next career move as “The Book Nurse,” I am reminded how truly powerful one’s inner voice can be.
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Wow! Amazing national dinner for HRC! President Obama spoke and I was very fortunate to be at a great table! And SJP is a sweetie! — with Sarah Jessica Parker.

January 2009 with Ben Bernanke– Chairman, U.S. Federal Reserve Board –Picture was taken inside the board room at the Federal Reserve at the conclusion of my two year term. It was a great honor to be appointed to the U.S. Federal Reserve Board (TIAC Council) and have the opportunity to work with someone I admire.  This council is composed of 10 bank CEO’s from around the United States.
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STL Post 2-21-2011 Project to harness creativity

In 2009, I was awarded the Equality Award from the Human Rights Campaign in St. Louis for Outstanding Leadership and Service to the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community.

I heard Arianna speak in St. Louis as part of the Marville University Speakers Series in December of 2008. Since she is someone I respect on lots of levels, I was honored to have the opportunity to meet her after her speech. We had a great discussion. She invited me to blog for her right then and there.
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After listening to YMDC in college a million times, it was fun to actually get to meet them with friends after a performance in St. Louis.

In 2008, I was honored to be awarded the Annual Brotherhood Sisterhood Award for exceptional work in valuing diversity, opening minds and building community at their annual dinner.

I was honored to serve as CEO with a really talented group of managers. Together we built a great company over a twenty year period.

William Donius was named the 2007 Volunteer of the Year in St. Louis at a luncheon in recognition of his long term volunteer efforts as well as personal philanthropic efforts.

St. Louis Business Journal selected Pulaksi Bank as its First Place recipient in their annual Best Places to Work edition, April 2007, making the list for the 2nd time in 2 years. “My philosophy is if you take great care of your employees, they’ll take great care of your customers and thereby also reward shareholders,” according to Bill Donius, Chairman and CEO.

View Full Story: Pulaski Bank – Best Place to Work

In 2007,  William Donius was awarded the Special Donors Award from the Doorways Foundation.

I was fortunate to be seated next to one of my heros at a small dinner in St. Louis in 2007 prior to his speech for the Maryville Speakers Series. Powell served with great distinction in each of his important roles as a U.S. Army General, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Commander of U.S. Army Forces, as well as 65th U.S. Secretary of State. He never wavered and managed to be highly respected by all.

It was an honor to serve as the Chair of the annual JDRF walk in St. Louis for two years, march with 24,000 and raise record amounts of money for them in 2006.

While CEO of the bank, we learned we had one of the most ethnically diverse workforces amongst our size of employers.

I was invited to open the NASDAQ market in 2003 as part of our five year anniversary as a listed company. Later that day we visited various large institutional holders of our stock in NYC. They remarked, “Didn’t we see you guys on CNBC this morning?”

January 2003, Fish! Karen Kunzelman, from the Human Resources Department of the bank stopped into my office one day (I maintained an open door policy) and handed me this book. She suggested I read it. I did just that over the weekend and came into the bank on Monday morning and thanked her for recommending a great book.
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December 1997. Elected CEO of Pulaski Bank in St. Louis, Missouri. The bank at the time was a small community bank with approximately $167 million in assets. The bank was formed in 1922 by a group of Polish-American citizens who wanted to assist the community in securing loans to purchase homes as well as save money.
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Who Moved My Cheese was the book I shared with the management team of the bank after I became CEO. We were about to undergo lots of change in our industry and company. I brought it into one of my first management meetings and suggested everyone read it by the next meeting. (it’s a short read, just like my book).  The book demonstrates that change is a fact of life and should be embraced.  Read More

With my brother, Michael Donius and parents Connie and Walter Donius in front of Creve Coeur Headquarters of Pulaski Bank in St. Louis. The bust is of General Casimir Pulaski, a Polish nobleman who came to this country to join our fight for freedom. He was made a General by George Washington and is credited with being the father of the cavalry. He died in battle in Savannah, Georgia in 1779.

Orange County Marathon 12/15/1985

I took up long distance running in college and completed the Orange County Marathon in 1985.  When I was living in Huntington Beach I had the perfect environment for long distance running…the beautiful southern California coastline.

One of my favorite places on earth…Yosemite National Park.

I lived in California for a dozen years beginning in 1981. I discovered the park shortly after moving to the state. It remains one of my favorite places in the world: 1,2000 square miles, contains six of the world’s seven climatic zones and lots of majestic granite cliffs made famous by Ansel Adams.

Growing up in the 1970′s, in Saint Louis, Missouri.

This picture reflects the good times we had growing up. I was blessed with a great family, parents; Walter and Connie Donius and my brothers, Michael and Tom.

First Birthday

Ready to take on the world.