#WomenAtCPA: Dona Medlock

Women in Leadership: Dona Medlock, Director of Enforcement Division

Dona Medlock answers the phone, “’Dona Medlock, Enforcement.’” Later, she adds, “I almost feel?Enforcement?has become my last name, I’ve said it for so long.”

She’s been the leader of the Enforcement Division — the agency’s second largest with more than 400 employees — since 1992, and she’s “been loving it ever since.” The division includes 19 field offices across the state, a collections call center in Austin and a headquarters operations team in the Stephen F. Austin building.

Medlock says she sometimes has been called intense or intimidating, but that’s only because of the passion and care she has for her team and for her role at the agency. She’s had a considerable impact — achieving more with less by maximizing resources, incorporating technology, implementing management development programs and much more. As a result of her many accomplishments, Medlock received the Outstanding Women in Texas Government Award for Outstanding Leadership in 2018.

Medlock’s successes have arrived with decades of hard work. She considers herself the poster child for rising through the ranks, having started as an administrative clerk in the Dallas North Field Office in 1978. She encourages others to be patient in their own careers.

“Sometimes change does not happen as quickly as you want, so be open to change your thoughts about a situation. Opportunities have different looks from time to time,” she says. “Squint or look closer if you have to.”

In becoming one of the longest-serving directors at the agency, Medlock readily acknowledges that she has evolved as a manager.

“I used to think that I had to have my hands on every aspect of our operations. I am much more prone to collaborate than I was earlier in my career. I am more willing to listen to different points of view to compromise for an agreed solution,” she says.

Her consistent career guides have been curiosity, a willingness to step outside of her comfort zone and a strong work ethic. Medlock says that there is something you can learn from anyone, even if it’s learning what not to do.

As for Medlock’s next steps?

“At this stage of my career, my goals are pretty simple: Prepare and assist the next generation of leaders,” she says. “That dovetails into my personal goals: Leave the job and division hopefully better than I found it; help to maintain the integrity of the office with fair, honest and consistent leadership; and maintain a respect of the responsibilities associated with the position.”