Donna Frett-Gregory

Donna Frett-Gregory
President of the Virgin Islands Legislature
In office
January 11, 2021 – January 9, 2023
Preceded byNovelle Francis
Succeeded byNovelle Francis
Vice President of the Virgin Islands Legislature
In office
January 14, 2019 – May 15, 2019
Preceded byNereida Rivera-O’Reilly
Succeeded byMyron Jackson
Member of the Virgin Islands Legislature
from St. Thomas/St. John district
In office
January 14, 2019 – January 13, 2025
Succeeded byAvery Lewis
Commissioner of the Virgin Islands Department of Education
In office
January 15, 2014 – January 5, 2015
GovernorJohn de Jongh
Preceded byLaVerne Terry
Succeeded bySharon McCollum
Personal details
Born (1965-10-04) October 4, 1965
St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
PartyDemocratic
Children4
EducationMorgan State University (BS)
University of the Virgin Islands (MPA)
Western Governors University (MBA)
Websitehttps://donnarodney2026.com/

Donna Alecia Frett-Gregory (born October 4, 1965) is an American politician who served as a member of the Legislature of the Virgin Islands from the St. Thomas/St. John district from 2019 to 2025.[1] A three term senator, Frett-Gregory served as Vice President and chair of the Finance Committee in the 33rd Legislature.[2][3] From 2021 to 2023, she served as Senate President during the 34th Legislature, ultimately becoming the third woman in the legislature’s history to do so.[4][5]

Prior to her entering politics, she served as Chief Financial Officer of the Virgin Islands Port Authority, Commissioner of the Virgin Islands Department of Education, and Director of Operations at the Virgin Islands Department of Justice.[4]

In June 2026, Frett-Gregory announced her candidacy for governor of the United States Virgin Islands at Waterfront Promenade on St. Thomas.[6]

Early life and education

Frett-Gregory was born on the island of St. Thomas to Jacob Augustus Frett and Iris Hobson. She grew up in Hospital Ground (Round De Field) neighborhood of Charlotte Amalie. In 1983, Frett-Gregory graduated from Charlotte Amalie High School and later obtained her MBA from Western Governors University, MPA from the University of the Virgin Islands and a BSBA from Morgan State University. She earned a certificate in senior executive leadership from Harvard University John F. Kennedy School of Government and holds an advanced government finance certification from the Government Finance Officers Association.[4]

Career

Frett-Gregory began her career in the 18th Virgin Islands Legislature, where she served as an accounting clerk in the Business Division before being promoted to budget analyst in the Post Audit Division.[4]

She went on to serve as Chief Financial Officer of the Virgin Islands Port Authority, where she managed the authority's financial operations. She also served as Director of Operations at the Virgin Islands Department of Justice, where her responsibilities included management of the Bureau of Corrections.[4]

Frett-Gregory served on two gubernatorial transition teams: the financial transition team for Governor Charles Turnbull and the property and procurement transition team for Governor Kenneth Mapp.[4]

In 2019, Frett-Gregory founded the DFG Community Impact Foundation (DFG-CIF Inc.), a nonprofit organization providing scholarships and mentorship programs to students and support services to elderly residents and women in the U.S. Virgin Islands.[7] The foundation hosts an annual International Women's Day celebration honoring women across the territory.[8]

Political career

During the 2018 election, Frett-Gregory was among the top women to dominate the race. She emphasized the need for senators to work together and offered solutions to stabilizing the economy and improving the government’s retirement system.[9]

As Senate President, Frett-Gregory collaborated with the Bryan administration and overhauled the Legislature's internal processes, including the development of administrative policies and procedures for institutional operations.[4] She created subcommittees to address long-standing issues, facilitating the passage of legislation including the restoration of the 8% salary reduction for government employees, the merger of fire services and EMS, GERS pension stabilization, and public utility reform.[7] During her tenure, she was elected to serve on the Executive Board of the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) and the NCSL Women's Leadership Network, becoming the first Virgin Islander to hold those positions.[7] Across three terms, Frett-Gregory sponsored and enacted more than 30 pieces of legislation.[4]

In July 2019, Frett-Gregory announced she would return the $1,000 donated to her 2018 campaign back to Jeffrey Epstein-tied Southern Trust Company. While doing so, Frett-Gregory stated that she does not support Epstein misconduct amid his recent allegations and won’t be affiliated with anyone that behaves in that manner.[10]

Committees chaired

  • Education and Workforce Development: January 14, 2019 – January 11, 2021 (inaugural chair, preceding Genevieve Whitaker)
  • Committee of the Whole: January 11, 2021 – January 9, 2023 (succeeding Novelle Francis, preceding Novelle Francis)
  • Budget, Appropriations and Finance: January 9, 2023 – December 19, 2024 (succeeding Kurt Vialet, preceding Novelle Francis)

Decision not to seek re-election

In May 2024, Frett-Gregory announced she would not seek re-election to the 36th Legislature, stating the decision came "after careful reflection and discussion with family members, friends, supporters and constituents."[11] She stated her intention to continue public service in a different capacity and to dedicate more time to her DFG Community Impact Foundation.[11]

2026 gubernatorial campaign

On April 17, 2026, Frett-Gregory picked up nomination papers from the Elections System of the Virgin Islands to enter the 2026 gubernatorial race as a Democrat.[12] She filed her official candidacy in the St. Thomas/St. John District in May 2026 alongside lieutenant governor running mate Rodney Moorehead, a longtime St. Croix educator who has served as a teacher, assistant principal, and principal across the St. Croix school district.[6]

The Frett-Gregory/Moorehead ticket entered a competitive Democratic primary field that also includes Delegate to Congress Stacey Plaskett and Senate President Milton Potter, as well as former Lieutenant Governor Tregenza Roach and Senator Novelle Francis Jr.[13]

Personal life

Frett-Gregory is divorced and has four children and three grandchildren. In May 2022, Donna tested positive for COVID-19.[14]

References

  1. ↑ "Donna Frett-Gregory". USVI Legislature.
  2. ↑ "Frett-Gregory & Gittens overthrown in USVI senate reorganisation". The Virgin Islands Daily News.
  3. ↑ "Majority Boots Frett-Gregory as Chair but Adopts All Her Legislation". St. Thomas Source.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Senator Donna A. Frett-Gregory". Legislature of the Virgin Islands.
  5. ↑ "Three V.I. women who have made a difference". Virgin Islands Daily News.
  6. 1 2 Carlson, Suzanne. "Frett-Gregory, Moorehead launch campaign for Gov't House". Virgin Islands Daily News.
  7. 1 2 3 "Senator Donna Frett-Gregory". USVI Office of Health Information Technology. Retrieved May 22, 2026.
  8. ↑ "Donna Frett-Gregory Community Impact Foundation Honors 23 Women for International Women's Day". St. Thomas Source. March 22, 2025. Retrieved May 22, 2026.
  9. ↑ "Democrats, Women Rule the Senate Races". St. Thomas Source. November 7, 2018.
  10. ↑ "Frett-Gregory is Third V.I. Politician to Relinquish Epstein-Tied Money". St. Thomas Source. July 16, 2019.
  11. 1 2 "Frett-Gregory Announces She Won't Run for Re-election in 36th Legislature". The Virgin Islands Consortium. May 21, 2024. Retrieved May 22, 2026.
  12. ↑ Eader, Tom (2026-04-18). "Ex-Sen. Donna Frett-Gregory picks up papers to enter governor's race as 2026 field continues to grow". WTJXNewsFeed. Retrieved 2026-05-22.
  13. ↑ "These Are the 108 Aspirants Seeking Elected Office as the 2026 Election Field Takes Shape Across the Virgin Islands". The Virgin Islands Consortium. May 19, 2026. Retrieved May 22, 2026.
  14. ↑ "Senate President Donna Frett-Gregory Tests Positive For Covid-19, Will Quarantine Until May 9". The Virgin Islands Consortium.
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