While on jury duty, Deneen Donnley decided that becoming a lawyer would be a path she’d enjoy—rather than getting an MBA. She shares with Michael Sachs her journey to becoming a general counsel as well as her philosophy on being a leader, building a diverse team and leaning into the employee experience.
Deneen Donnley is senior vice president and general counsel of Consolidated Edison, Inc., the energy company serving the 10 million people of New York City, Westchester, Orange and Rockland counties.
Ms. Donnley previously served as chief legal officer, general counsel and corporate secretary to USAA. She also previously served as the general counsel for USAA Bank.
Before joining USAA, Ms. Donnley worked at ING DIRECT as the senior vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary. Prior to joining ING DIRECT, she served as an attorney for Pepper Hamilton LLP and a staff attorney with the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.
Ms. Donnley serves on the Boards of Directors of the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity, Girls Inc. of New York City, Fordham Law Alumni Association and Board of M1 Finance. She is a member of the Executive Leadership Council, Athena Alliance, and the Direct Women Board Institute.
A graduate of the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Science in economics, Ms. Donnley also received her Juris Doctor degree from Fordham University School of Law in New York.
