About Donna
My focus as a lawyer was on public policy solutions and improving state and local government programs so that all who live in California receive the services and support they deserve. I have also been active in numerous community and civic organizations at the city, school district, and county level. I understand how government should work and know how to get things done. With this background, I will work hard to make the City of Davis serve you better.
I came to Davis in 1987 to attend law school at King Hall at UC Davis. Here I met lifelong friends and fell in love with the Davis community. Working in the law school Immigration Law Clinic fueled my passion for public service and desire to work in areas of law that have a positive and direct impact on people’s lives—especially those who are underserved.
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Thirty-seven years later, I am still here. My husband, Ted Grosholz, is a professor in the UC Davis Department of Environmental Science and Policy. Our son Liam attended Davis public schools and now lives and works in the Bay Area.
Community Involvement
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Current Davis City Councilmember, District 3
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Former member, City of Davis Planning Commission
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Fomer board president, National Alliance on Mental Illness Yolo County (NAMI provides support groups; educational events; and works to destigmatize mental illness).
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Former chair and member, City of Davis Finance and Budget Commission
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Former chair, Davis Joint Unified School District Measure M Bond Oversight Committee (oversaw expenditures under this $150 million dollar school facilities construction program).
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Pro bono legal volunteer, Parent Teacher Home Visit Project (Nonprofit organization focused on improving the family/teacher relationships in underserved public schools).
Professional Experience
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Advised members of the California Legislature and their staff on two key policy areas: the environment (CEQA, waste management, open space protection, etc.) and K-12 education.
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Served as chief legal advisor to the California State Auditor, working on performance audits of virtually every aspect of state and local government, including making specific recommendations that make government programs more efficient and effective.
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Played a central role in developing and implementing the Local Government High Risk Program, which detects financial vulnerabilities in California cities and intervenes to prevent the loss of services and financial collapse.
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Served on the team that developed the first-ever application and selection process for serving on the California Citizens Redistricting Commission. We created an inclusive public outreach program that resulted in a diverse applicant pool of nearly 30,000, which reflected the rich diversity of our State.
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Oversaw the Investigations Division at the California State Auditor’s Office, which investigated and reported on misconduct by state officials.
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Developed the process used for the effective delivery of legal services within the California State Auditor’s Office.