This legislative commemoration honors Donna Leslie for her exceptional service to the South Dakota Retailers Association, where she has been a key staff member since 1988. Over her nearly thirty-seven years of dedicated service, she has worked with multiple executive directors and board members, significantly contributing to the association's growth from 2,000 to 4,000 members. Donna has played a vital role in producing the Retail Prophet magazine and the Legislative Bulletin, as well as managing the association's scholarship program, which has awarded over 280 scholarships totaling more than $250,000.

The commemoration highlights Donna's influence and contributions, including her unique fashion sense, which has even been reflected in the statue of Governor Robert S. Vessey. As the longest-serving employee in the association's 128-year history, her retirement is set for May 2025, after a remarkable career that has positively impacted many South Dakotans and helped establish the South Dakota Retailers Association as one of the largest and most effective business organizations in the country.