Nature & Wildlife Photographer

Paulette Donnellon, an award-winning photographer passionate about capturing images of nature and wildlife as a hobby, earned recognition for her photograph of an Eastern Collared Lizard, featured on the 2024 America the Beautiful National Park Pass. This achievement followed her grand prize win in the National Parks Foundation Share the Experience competition, where over 8000 images from across the United States were submitted. Additionally, she earned the title of California Wildlife Photo of the Year for 2023, with an image of 4 comical Burrowing Owls, and received honors in the State Capital on the floor of the Senate. She also emerged triumphant in the 2023 U.S. State Parks Photography competition, securing victory in the wildlife category with an image of an Antelope Ground Squirrel taken in Anza Borrego Desert State Park.

When she's not behind the lens, Paulette actively serves and supports schools in Southern California at LEGO® Education, bringing playful learning experiences using the LEGO System of bricks to students in the classroom. In her free time, she dedicates herself as a trustee for the San Diego County Board of Education, a role she assumed after being elected in 2016, representing District 4, covering inland north San Diego County. Her active participation on the boards of directors for both the Anza Borrego Foundation and the Classroom of the Future Foundation further showcases her commitment.

Notably, Paulette is a veteran with nine years of service in the U.S. Army and served during Desert Storm. Girl Scouts San Diego recognized her as a finalist for Cool Women 2024, acknowledging her as an outstanding 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