ST. LOUIS, MO (June 25, 2009) —  Arnold Donald, private investor and civic volunteer, has been named by United Way of Greater St. Louis as its 2009 Alexis de Tocqueville Society chair. The Society recognizes members of the community who annually invest $10,000 or more in United Way of Greater St. Louis. Last year, the Society raised more than $10 million toward the United Way campaign total of $68.4 million.

The Alexis de Tocqueville Society, named in honor of the man who recognized Americans’ generosity toward one another as one of our greatest strengths and shared that knowledge with the world, was formed in St. Louis in 1987.

“I have supported United Way of Greater St. Louis for many years and this is one more way to honor my personal commitment to an organization that does so much good in our region,” said Mr. Donald. “United Way provides an efficient and effective way to invest our resources in improving the lives of tens of thousands in our community.”

“Arnold is an inspiration to us all,” said Gary Dollar, president and CEO of United Way. “By leading the de Tocqueville Society this year he will strengthen United Way’s ability to help human service organizations that are helping thousands of people throughout our region in a critical time.”

About Arnold Donald

Arnold Donald, a private investor and small business owner, is the former president and chief executive officer of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International, the largest charitable funder of diabetes research in the world. Other previously held positions include Chairman of Merisant Company and several positions within Monsanto Company in St. Louis, Missouri where he was for 20 years.

He was recognized by the agricultural industry as Agri-Marketer of the Year in 1996.

A native of New Orleans, Mr. Donald received a BA degree from Carleton College, a BS degree in mechanical engineering from Washington University in St. Louis, and an MBA from the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business. In 1997, Mr. Donald was named Executive of the Year by Black Enterprise Magazine; in 1998, he received the Washington University Distinguished Alumni Award; in 1999, he received the Eagle Award from the National Eagle Leadership Institute; and in 2000 he received the Black Engineers President’s Award.  In July 2002, Fortune Magazine named Mr. Donald #17 on their list of “The 50 Most Powerful Black Executives in America”. 

Mr. Donald has an extensive history of involvement in local, national, and international organizations, both professional and civic. In November 1998, Mr. Donald was appointed by President Clinton to serve on the President’s Export Council (PEC) for international trade.  President Bush re-appointed Mr. Donald to the PEC in February 2003. He currently serves on the boards of Carleton College; Dillard University; Washington University in St. Louis; St. Louis Art Museum; Missouri Botanical Garden; St. Louis Science Center; Opera Theatre of St. Louis; St. Louis Regional Commerce and Growth Association; Barnes-Jewish Hospital; Crown Holdings, Inc.; Oil-Dri Corporation of America; Carnival Corporation; Laclede Group; DHR International; Vertellus, Inc.; United Way of Greater St. Louis, and the St. Louis Sports Commission. He also serves on the National Advisory Council for Washington University School of Engineering. Mr. Donald is a past president of the Leadership Center of Greater St. Louis and a former member of the corporate roundtable of the Keck Graduate Institute of Applied Life Science and the Caux Business Roundtable. In November 2001, the Governor of Missouri appointed Mr. Donald to the Missouri Life Sciences Research Committee.  He has served on the boards of The Scotts Company; Russell Corporation; Belden, Inc.; U.S.-Russia Business Council; Grocery Manufacturers of America; Eurasia Foundation; National Science Teachers Association;  American Crop Protection Association (CropLife America); British-American Project; the FFA; and the 4-H among others.

photo available in jpg: Mr. Arnold Donald, private investor and small business owner, and United Way of Greater St. Louis 2009 Alexis de Tocqueville Society chair. Click here for photo.

About United Way of Greater St. Louis

The United Way funds nearly 200 health and human service agencies located throughout a 16-county area in Missouri and Illinois. More than one million people in our community receive services that strengthen families, help the elderly, keep children healthy and safe, and build stronger neighborhoods. For more information, contact 314-421-0700 or visit www.stl.unitedway.org.

###