About Us

Founder & CEO, Debt Free Americans

Donna Weaver is a visionary leader dedicated to transforming the consumer finance industry so creditors and consumers can thrive together. She is recognized for her ability to innovate with precision — combining entrepreneurial creativity with the detailed focus needed to reshape industries for the greater good.

With more than two decades of experience, Donna has designed business models that supported over $3 trillion in annual billing volumes, generated more than $78 billion in customer value and revenue, and pioneered innovative approaches in consumer finance, procurement, and collections. Her career includes leadership roles impacting Fortune 500 enterprises such as American Express — where she earned multiple Excellence Awards — as well as growth initiatives that helped achieve INC 5000 recognition five years in a row and a successful IPO.

A lifelong entrepreneur for nearly three decades, Donna has built ventures across real estate, consumer finance, collections, procurement, small business services, sports, entertainment, and beyond. Known as someone who is both innovative and easy to do business with, she has earned trust by creating solutions that deliver measurable results and lasting value.

Today, Donna is leading a new generation of consumer finance through Debt Free Americans. Her vision is not about handouts, but a hand up — providing scalable support for families during temporary tough times while helping creditors build long-term, loyal customer relationships. By engaging communities, donors, and industries such as sports and entertainment, she is building a national movement where no family is left alone in hardship — and where financial unity becomes the foundation for generations of Americans to thrive together.

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Legacy Leader for Unity in Financial Recovery

With over 30 years of experience in consumer financial services, Alex is a respected leader in credit risk management, decision sciences, and collections. He has long championed responsible lending practices, bringing deep expertise from across the auto, personal loan, and payday lending industries — particularly in subprime underwriting and collections.

Alex understands firsthand the financial realities millions of Americans face each day. His commitment to compliance, empathy for consumers, and insight into the operational challenges lenders face make him a vital force behind DFA’s mission. He believes in transforming debt recovery into a win-win model — one that supports lenders, empowers consumers, and invites donors to be part of long-term financial healing.

Legacy Leader for Sports, Entertainment & Financial Thriving

Anthony Whiteford is a strategic ticketing and event operations executive with more than 20 years of leadership across professional sports, live entertainment, and the performing arts. He has directed multimillion-dollar ticketing operations for premier organizations including the UFC, Sacramento Kings, Nederlander Concerts, and numerous consulting clients — consistently driving revenue growth, optimizing finance systems, and elevating fan engagement.

Renowned for managing high-capacity venues and leading cross-functional teams, Anthony has been at the center of some of the industry’s most high-profile events. Beyond operations, he is a trusted partner to sponsors, clients, and community leaders, cultivating strong relationships that fuel both business performance and fan loyalty.

As part of DFA’s mission, Anthony brings his expertise to create and host events and initiatives where consumers, creditors, sports, and entertainment converge. His vision is to transform experiences into opportunities for unity, empowerment, and financial thriving — proving that when communities come together, everyone wins.

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Legacy Leader for Family Finance & Youth Empowerment

A dedicated and award-winning business educator with 27 years of experience empowering high school students and young adults with the tools to thrive financially. Holding dual master’s degrees and credentials in both Teaching and School Counseling, Ron has earned a reputation for excellence in financial education and student mentorship. A multiple-time Teacher of the Year honoree, Ron has led student-driven organizations that promote leadership, entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and community engagement.  

His passion lies in preparing the next generation to live their best financial lives—equipping them not only to build their own financial future but also to support their families during temporary tough times. Now stepping into his role as a Legacy Leader with Debt Free Americans, Ron is committed to teaching kids and families across the nation how to come together, strengthen their financial well-being, and thrive as a community.

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Legacy Leader for Legendary Events & Community Unity

David is a trusted partner for legacy leaders and iconic brands looking to enhance their impact by fostering unity and cultivating a new generation committed to thriving together.

For over 30 years, David has been the driving force behind some of America's most unforgettable live experiences. As Founder and President, he has perfected the art of transforming ordinary gatherings into legendary events that unite people, elevate brands, and create lasting memories. His career encompasses every aspect of live event production, from site operations and stage management to artist booking and tour oversight.

David’s work has powered national traditions and launched innovative productions, always with a singular goal: to create moments that remind us of our collective strength. Renowned for his calm leadership and unwavering integrity, David is a trusted force who empowers legacy leaders to shine their brightest while nurturing a new generation committed to thriving together.

Legacy Leader for Service, Justice & Financial Thriving

A leader forged by experience, Nate Griffin brings more than 30 years of executive leadership across technology, operations, and financial services. His disciplined approach was shaped by service in the United States Air Force and the Army National Guard, where he learned to lead under pressure with integrity and resolve.

As the former CEO of a collection law firm, Nate has seen firsthand the challenges faced by both creditors and consumers during times of financial hardship. That experience gives him a rare perspective — one that understands the realities of legal collections while also recognizing the human side of financial struggle.

Nate believes that no family should feel alone when facing tough times. By partnering with law firms, agencies, and creditors, and through DFA’s tax-deductible bill pay gift links and registry, he is helping to create a new model where financial recovery becomes a shared journey of support and thriving together.

As a Legacy Leader with DFA, Nate applies his proven leadership and compassion to build initiatives that unite communities, strengthen resilience, and ensure every American has a pathway forward.

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Legacy Leader for Payment Innovation & Community Impact

Suzie Bookout brings more than 25 years of experience in payment technology, partnerships, and financial innovation. She has held senior leadership roles at JPMorgan Chase, WorldPay (FIS), First Data (Fiserv), and Intuit, where she helped shape payment strategies across healthcare, veterinary, dental, eCommerce, and nonprofit sectors.

Alongside her work with global institutions, Suzie is passionate about empowering small businesses. As founder of Payment Visor and Pawsitive Payments, she created modern, compassionate payment solutions tailored to veterinary practices — a model she believes can extend across other industries where small businesses are the heart of the community. Pawsitive Payments also proudly supports nonprofits such as Not One More Vet (NOMV), reflecting her belief that financial innovation should strengthen both business and community well-being.

Her career reflects a consistent vision: payment solutions can do more than process transactions — they can remove barriers, support entrepreneurs, and empower purpose-driven organizations. These values align deeply with DFA’s mission of helping families, small businesses, and communities thrive together.

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