About Donna Kay Anderson
Donna Kay Anderson once faced overwhelming darkness. More than 40 years ago, I found myself rebuilding my life after leaving an abusive relationship and spending time in a women’s shelter with my children. I had to learn how to manage money, support my family, and create financial stability one step at a time.
Why I Created Smart Spending Lab
I created Smart Spending Lab to help people who may not know where to begin with budgeting and everyday money management.
My goal is to make basic financial concepts easier to understand, including budgeting, needs versus wants, spending decisions, savings, debt, and financial goal setting.
Smart Spending Lab is designed for people who are just starting out, starting over, or simply want a clearer understanding of their finances.
Professional Background
I bring more than 25 years of leadership and operations experience in healthcare and community-based organizations. My work has included program development, operations management, project coordination, staff leadership, process improvement, and implementation of new services and programs.
I hold a B.A. in Healthcare Administration and previously earned the Certified Educator in Personal Finance credential. I have also developed and presented financial education materials focused on budgeting, credit, debt, savings, and financial goal setting.
After retiring from my healthcare career, I created Smart Spending Lab as a way to share practical financial education and resources with people who want help understanding the basics.
Previous Experience
I served as the Mobile Programs Manager at QueensCare in Los Angeles, managing a $1.2 million budget and organizing community health fairs to enhance healthcare access for underserved populations. My financial planning and negotiation skills were crucial in managing contracts with key partners like the Los Angeles Unified School District and the University of Southern California.
I also excelled as a Health Center Manager at Gracelight Health Centers and Operations Manager at St. Vincent Medical Center. I played a pivotal role in the merger and establishment of a new healthcare facility by overseeing budgeting for construction, staffing, and operational expenses.