Today we’d like to introduce you to Donald Iannone
Hi Donald, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I grew up in the Ohio Valley during the 1950s and 1960s—a place and a time that shaped my life in profound ways. The Ohio River left an indelible imprint on my early life—its power, flow, and direction, and how it supported life and commerce in the Ohio Valley. During those formative years, the initial bearings of my moral compass were set. Caring about and helping others became a cornerstone, alongside a dedication to hard work and learning.
My undergraduate years at the University of Arizona broadened my horizons intellectually, creatively, and socially. I discovered the beauty of the desert, mountains, stunning sunsets, and the richness of Hispanic and Native American cultures. Since 1972, I have lived in Greater Cleveland, a region that has become my true home and a fertile crescent for personal growth, education, and career development. I connected deeply with the area’s culture and values.
My professional journey in economic development and public policy has been expansive, taking me to 32 states and 10 countries. These experiences led me to my current path as a writer of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. Writing excites me, fuels my creativity, and gives me a profound sense of purpose and productivity. Throughout my life, the central theme has been an unwavering curiosity—a thread that began in my childhood and continues to guide me today.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Not a smooth road, but more importantly, a road filled with adventure. My main struggles have revolved around finding the right balance among the many aspects of my life—family, friends, creativity, my work, and being mindfully present in whatever I’m doing. It hasn’t always been easy to give each area the attention it deserves, and learning to navigate those challenges has been a journey in itself.
Gratitude, compassion, and generosity have been powerful lessons along the way, often revealed through moments of difficulty and growth. Perhaps the most meaningful work has been integrating spirituality into my everyday life—not as something separate, but as a guiding presence in all that I do. It’s take
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
The creative path has infused my life with meaning, allowing me to express myself through writing prose and poetry, photography, and painting. While much of my professional life has been centered on my role as an economic developer and public policy advocate, since 2016, I’ve increasingly been identified as a writer and teacher. Teaching graduate business students at Transcontinental University, a European Union-based institution, has become an integral part of this chapter in my life.
I’ve always been an “idea person,” constantly percolating fresh ideas and reimagining ways to think, see, and do in the world. Writing and teaching have become powerful avenues for sharing those ideas and engaging with others in meaningful ways. My creative goals are ambitious yet fulfilling—I strive to publish two new books every year: one focused on fiction or nonfiction and another dedicated to poetry. I firmly believe that productivity is essential for anyone navigating the creative path. For me, productivity isn’t just about output; it’s about living my best life, finding joy in creation, and contributing to the world in meaningful ways.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
My favorite childhood memories revolve around Christmases—extraordinary times filled with family, celebration, and magic. There was something about those crisp December evenings when the Ohio Valley seemed to sparkle under a canopy of stars, the scent of pine from the Christmas tree filling the air, and the warmth of home creating a world of wonder.
The magic of Christmas wasn’t just in the gifts, though those were exciting. It was in the moments leading up to it—the anticipation, the stories, the traditions. I remember my family decorating the tree together, untangling strings of lights, and hanging ornaments that had been carefully packed away the year before. Each ornament told its own story, whether it was a homemade decoration from school or a fragile glass globe that had been in the family for years. There was laughter, teasing, and the occasional dispute over which branch should hold the star.
Christmas morning was pure joy. My siblings and I would race down the stairs, still in our pajamas, to find presents under the tree, stockings stuffed with treats, and the unmistakable smell of my mother’s holiday baking drifting from the kitchen. There was magic in those simple acts—magic in the care and love that created them.
But the magic of Christmas wasn’t just about what happened in our home; it extended beyond our four walls. It was in the car rides to see the lights around town, the Christmas Eve church service with its glowing candles and hymns, and the way the community seemed to come together in a shared spirit of generosity and joy.
Looking back, Christmas was my first experience of magic—the kind that transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary, like turning lead into gold. It’s a feeling I’ve carried with me ever since, inspiring my creativity and my belief in the power of imagination. For me, Christmas has always been more than a holiday; it’s a reminder of how love, wonder, and a little bit of magic can make life extraordinary.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.donaldiannone.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iannonedon/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/donaldiannone
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/doniannone/
- Twitter: https://x.com/doniannone
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@diannone
Image Credits
Book cover designs and photographs by Don Iannone
