Nature & Wildlife Photographer

Paulette Donnellon, an award-winning photographer with a passion for capturing nature and wildlife, has achieved notable success for her remarkable images. Recently, she won "Best of Show" at the San Diego County Fair’s International Exhibition of Photography with her captivating image of a Black Tailed Jackrabbit. She also earned first place in both the Birds and Wildlife categories.  Paulette's work has earned significant acclaim, including her celebrated photograph of an Eastern Collared Lizard, chosen for the 2024 America the Beautiful National Park Pass. This achievement followed her grand prize win in the National Parks Foundation’s Share the Experience competition, which attracted over 8,000 entries from across the United States. Additionally, her endearing image of four comical Burrowing Owls won the title of California Wildlife Photo of the Year for 2023, leading to honors in the State Capitol on the Senate floor. Paulette also triumphed in the 2023 U.S. State Parks Photography Competition, taking the top prize in the wildlife category for her photo of an Antelope Ground Squirrel taken in Anza Borrego Desert State Park.

Beyond photography, Paulette actively serves and supports schools in Southern California through LEGO® Education, where she brings playful learning experiences to classrooms with the LEGO System of bricks. She has been a dedicated trustee for the San Diego County Board of Education since 2016, representing District 4, which covers inland north San Diego County. Her commitment to education extends to her roles on the boards of directors for both the Anza Borrego Foundation and the Classroom of the Future Foundation.

A veteran with nine years of U.S. Army service, including during Desert Storm, Paulette was also recognized as a 2024 Cool Women finalist by Girl Scouts San Diego, celebrating her as an inspiring role model for girls.

Actively involved in the community: 

• Board Member, Anza Borrego Foundation
• Board Member, Classroom of the Future Foundation
• Board Member, San Diego County Office of Education
• Past President, San Diego County Board of Education
• Past Trustee, Escondido Union School District Board of Education
• Past President, Escondido Union School District Board of Education   2015
• Escondido Education Foundation –  Past President
• The Association of Teacher Educator’s Standing Committee on Technology and the Future of Teacher Education (2009-2011)
• College of Borrego – Past Board Trustee (2010-2011)
• Project eXcellence - Volunteer (2004-2008)
• Member, Rotary Club, Escondido, 2012- Present
• California School Boards Association
• Board member, Classroom of the Future Foundation