Get ready to dig into what five experts and their studies tell us about happiness, joy, and meaningful lives…and the one BIG thing that matters. In this interactive session led by Donna Warner with support from Michelle Montalbano, we’ll take a quiz, hear video excerpts from the experts, and discover little acts of joy. Another installment in the Rhinebeck @ Home series on the Pursuit of Happiness.

About the Speaker: 

Donna retired to Rhinebeck in 2011 after 44 years in Cambridge and Belmont, Massachusetts. She holds an M.A. from Harvard University, where she completed doctoral studies, and an Executive M.B.A. from Northeastern University, along with certification in advanced alcoholism clinical skills from Boston University’s School of Social Work.

Her career has spanned social science research, organizational development, and public health, including key roles at UMass Medical School and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. After retiring, Donna continued to stay active as a senior consultant with the Centers for Disease Control and as a volunteer in the Rhinebeck community.

She has served on the boards of Starr Library, Bard’s Lifetime Learning Institute, and Rhinebeck at Home. She is currently a member of the Rhinebeck Village Comprehensive Plan Implementation Committee and volunteers at the Wilderstein Historic Site. A lifelong learner, Donna’s interest in happiness studies was sparked by a renowned TED talk and Rhinebeck at Home’s “Pursuit of Happiness” program series at Starr Library.