Donna McNeely grew up in Cape Girardeau,
Missouri, on the banks of the Mississippi
River.  She is a graduate of the Indiana
University School of Journalism and was a
Fellow at the American Film Institute
Conservatory in Los Angeles.  

In her early career, Donna worked as a
local TV news anchor, reporter and
producer at various local TV stations in the
Midwest.  After moving to Los Angeles,
Donna continued to work in local TV news.

She is a former freelance news writer for
KNBC-TV’s Emmy® award-winning
newscast, The Channel 4 News at 11, and
regularly wrote for that station’s many
other newscasts. Donna has also worked
as a freelance news writer and special
segment producer for KCAL-TV, KCBS-TV,
and Fox11 News in Los Angeles.

Donna is a recipient of the prestigious Don and Gee Nicholl Fellowship in Screenwriting given by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Her award-winning screenplay, Julia’s Child, is the story of a poor Ozark mountain boy whose life is changed when he discovers the French Chef,
Julia Child, on afternoon TV. Julia’s Child was purchased by Brighton Avenue and is being developed as a feature film by Spectra 5V Film of Montreal.

Donna is also a lyricist, and has co-written songs for independent features
and network television.

She is a proud member of the Writers Guild of America-west.

Donna lives in Los Angeles.