Meet April Irene Donelson | Senior Vice President Haute Media Group

We had the good fortune of connecting with April Irene Donelson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi April Irene, can you share the most important lesson you’ve learned over the course of your career?
The answers can be found in the micro. And simultaneously you have to be able to understand and align your actions to the broader horizon and bigger picture. Everyday.
Each day has so much within it, and so much opportunity. Being systematic on one hand but with an open mind on the other, and holding to daily touch points. I try to finish each day with all actions items set complete. Or scheduled accordingly. As the next day, is going to hold its own entirely new set of work within it.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?

You have to learn every single day. In successes and in failures, there are lessons in both. Apply what you learned to the next day, every single day. Each day is a brand new day. If you operate this way day in and day out, you are able to look back month after month, year after year and see growth through persistence. And in every stage of growth, greater opportunities arise to make things even bigger. Sticking to the same daily fundamental blueprint – day in and day out –  I have found to be key. The more you can grow the more you can use that growth to make things better for others. Be it in your operational role professionally through the work you do, and across the board in life both as a friend, and just as a human being.  I am passionate about the Family Heart Foundation, the American Heart Association, and The Embrace Girls Foundation and making a difference. And Florida State University – Go Noles! >> — >>

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I love all of the energy in Brickell, which is where our Haute Media Group corporate office is located. And then there is the serenity and beauty of my home neighborhood, Aventura. Miami is so exceptional in that we have it all here – a true Magic City. With art, culture, entertainment, and being a true epic center of commerce: tech, and business both nationally and internationally. Along with its natural beauty, Miami has a niche for everyone. Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My Grandmother, Irene Albright Crowe who went entirely against the grain and trusted her own instincts and what she knew to be right.

My grandmother’s family was from Germany. They started over in the US. She was beautiful and brilliant, and the one whom her family deemed to be able to run their business someday. Going to college in her day was not the norm for women, but she was set to do so. Her senior year in high school, she met my grandfather who was working at a deli in the daytime and bartending at night, and was an orphan. She was enamored. She went home and told her family she met the man she wanted to date. They were familiar with him. And in no way deemed him as someone acceptable for her to see. She did anyway. For a year.

When she was supposed to leave for college, she eloped with him instead. When she broke this news to her family, she was thrown out, and they were essentially exiled. My grandmother just knew my Papa had so much promise and had so much more he could do. She worked three jobs at once, found his first significant job for him, a low level position in a trucking company. And the rest was history. Five children later including my mother, and decades later an article in their hometown paper that led with “Ex Yorker ..” announcing my grandfather’s latest role, Chairman and CEO of Consolidated Freightways, in their prime.

My grandparents were one of the greatest love stories of all time, and a true testament to America and the promise it holds. And my grandmother’s foresight, was behind all of it. And really the foundation of the start of my mother’s side of the family.

My Nina was so wise. Such an old soul. And someone who wasn’t afraid to challenge the norm, and take a road no one foresaw being one that in any way would work. She is my namesake for my middle name, Irene ❤️
My mom and my dad. My mom is my sister, best friend, mom, confidante, all the same person and has devoted her life to making sure mine is a good one. My dad was my mentor and cheerleader and best friend. I am extremely grateful for my parents, grandparents, family, coaches, teachers from childhood, and mentors at Haute Media Group. In additon to lifelong friends, and amazing friends collected along the way in every stage of life.

Life is tough and full of challenges. And having such a well of love, that is always there. For me that is what makes everything and anything possible.

Website: HauteLiving.com

Instagram: Aprilirenedonelson

Linkedin: Aprilirenedonelson

Twitter: DonelsonIrene

Facebook: April Irene Donelson

Image Credits
Photo credit: Romain Maurice