Donna Gillespie founded a small business in 1989, known then as DG Training Associates. Donna's startup had a singular focus: design and develop custom training solutions to meet the performance-based training needs of her first clients within Eastman Kodak Company.

By the early 1990s, the number and scope of clients had grown rapidly through client referrals. Donna carefully recruited additional staff to meet the needs of DG's expanded client base. She also partnered with highly respected independent consultants and vendors who shared similar commitments to sound instructional expertise, high standards of quality, and uncompromising business ethics.

In 1998, the company changed its name to Gillespie Associates, in part to reflect the firm's vastly expanded service offerings.