About Donna

Donna Mai Lavatai York is a digital strategist, retail expert, and passionate community advocate dedicated to strengthening Chase City’s cultural and economic future. With over two decades of retail experience and nearly ten years in ecommerce, Donna specializes in helping organizations modernize their outreach, improve visitor engagement, and build strong, welcoming digital ecosystems. As founder of YORK Digital Services, she supports local businesses and nonprofits with website design, social media strategy, and community-centered marketing.

Her extensive volunteer work includes contributions to Save Our Heritage, the Chase City Chamber of Commerce, Reimagine Chase City, and numerous grassroots community initiatives. Donna brings a collaborative, forward-thinking approach to everything she does—always guided by her belief that small towns can flourish when people come together with purpose and heart.

At MacCallum More, Donna’s creativity and digital experience support museum promotions, online engagement, event communication, and outreach efforts designed to connect more people to the beauty of the gardens and the rich history of the museum.

Connection to MacCallum More

Donna’s connection to MacCallum More Museum & Gardens stems from her deep love for Chase City and her desire to help the community grow into something vibrant, connected, and proud. She often describes her hope for Chase City as similar to Stars Hollow from Gilmore Girls—a close-knit, welcoming town where people gather, celebrate, and uplift one another. To her, the Gardens are one of the most magical starting points for that kind of community spirit.

She feels that MMMG is a treasure many locals have yet to fully discover, and she is committed to helping change that by sharing its beauty, history, and potential with visitors and residents alike.

Favorite Aspects of MacCallum More

🌿 Favorite Garden Spot: Standing in the courtyard and looking up at the Cloister—a perspective that always feels peaceful, grounding, and timeless.

🗿 Favorite Sculpture: The Samurai Warrior, whose artistry and presence capture the museum’s global influences and extraordinary attention to detail.

🪶 Favorite Artifact: The crystal points—beautiful, luminous pieces that highlight the diversity and wonder of the museum’s collections.

🦁 Favorite Historic Feature: The Lion Fountain—once a breathtaking centerpiece of the Gardens and still one of its most iconic features. Though now in need of restoration, its original beauty inspires me, and I hope we can help return it to its former glory.

🎨 Most Memorable MMMG Experience: The recent Paint & Sip event—an uplifting blend of creativity, friendship, and community joy that reflects everything she hopes the Gardens will continue to inspire.

Donna’s MacCallum More LOVE Story

Donna loves that Chase City holds such an incredible treasure—one that many small towns could only dream of. The Gardens represent beauty, culture, history, and a sense of belonging. To her, MacCallum More is a place where people slow down, feel inspired, and reconnect with what truly matters.

Her “love story” is simple but powerful:
She wants everyone in Chase City to know, appreciate, and be proud of this place.
Helping spread that awareness—and inviting more people to fall in love with the Gardens the way she has—is one of her greatest joys.

Exciting Projects & Initiatives

As a board member, Donna contributes her expertise in digital strategy, marketing, and community engagement. She is passionate about initiatives that:

• Strengthen MMMG’s online presence and visibility
• Support event promotion and community outreach
• Encourage tourism and local pride
• Improve how visitors discover, navigate, and experience the museum and gardens
• Enhance the gift shop and visitor experience
• Build connections between MMMG and the broader Chase City community

Her vision centers on helping MMMG shine as both a cultural landmark and a beloved gathering place for residents and visitors.

At MacCallum More, you’ll usually find me…

Collaborating on digital projects, supporting events, and sharing the magic and stories of the Gardens with anyone willing to listen.

Learn more about our leadership team