Shalala, Donna E. (Donna Edna), 1941-

Donna Edna Shalala (born February 14, 1941) is an American politician and academic. A member of the Democratic Party, she served as Secretary of Health and Human Services in the Clinton administration and represented Florida's 27th congressional district in the United States House of Representatives from 2019 to 2021.

Born in Cleveland, Ohio, she attended West Technical High School before receiving a bachelor's degree in 1962 from Western College for Women. From 1962 to 1964, she was among the first volunteers to serve in the Peace Corps. In 1970, Shalala began her teaching career as a political science professor at Baruch College. In 1972, Shalala became a professor of politics and education at Teachers College, Columbia University, a post she held until 1979. Concurrently, from 1977 to 1980, she served as the assistant secretary for policy development and research at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development during the Carter Administration.

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