Donna is a former naval officer and experienced intelligence professional with a global career spanning operations, analysis, and leadership. Her deployments have included diplomatic support, counter-piracy efforts, maritime security operations, and fisheries enforcement. Later in her career, she specialised in intelligence, developing deep expertise at both operational and strategic levels.
 

She has held leadership roles in a range of settings—from commanding teams under pressure at sea, to supporting youth development and community initiatives on land. Her leadership background includes:

​

• Serving as a Board Member and Business Manager for the New Zealand Institute of Intelligence Professionals

• Sixteen years as a naval officer, where she frequently managed teams in complex and high pressure situations 

• Stints working as an expedition or outdoor leader in the UK, France, Italy and the United States

• Over a decade volunteering with the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award in Belfast, Northern Ireland

• Various roles supporting local community groups in the Martinborough region.

​

Donna has a proven track record in delivering training programmes. Whilst working for the Royal Navy she developed and delivered the first Maritime Cultural Specialist Training package, which became mandatory for all Royal Navy and Royal Marine personnel deploying to land-based operations. This work resulted in her being among a select few to receive a commendation from the Commander of the United Kingdom's Joint Force Command. She later became the lead instructor for the Defence Intelligence Analysis Course delivered by the New Zealand Defence Force.
 

Throughout her career Donna has gained extensive experience in guiding teams to perform better, enabling them to find more effective ways of achieving their goals. She is a PROSCI Certified Change Management Practitioner, holds a Graduateship in Leadership and Management from the UK City & Guilds Institute, and is Train the Trainer qualified. Blackthorn was developed from her desire to focus on training and development, and supporting others to thrive in their professional lives.