Donna Wares is an editor, writer and live event producer. She founded the Los Angeles Times Book Club, hosting such authors and thought leaders as President Obama, Susan Orlean, Walter Isaacson, Amanda Gorman, Lisa See, and LeVar Burton. Donna started her career at the Miami Herald writing about the environment, served as managing editor at the Orange County Register, and created the Northwest Passages Book Club and community forum  in Spokane, Wash.

The author of three books, she also edited “My California: Journeys by Great Writers,” a bestselling anthology that supported writing programs for children throughout the state. Last year Donna started a book club and writing group with women at the Santa Barbara Jail. She is currently managing editor for enterprise and live journalism at Comma, the nonprofit community journalism lab based in Washington. Her joy is fostering and adopting retired racing greyhounds and other rescues that find their way to her couch.