Denise Gauny

For Tahoe Donner Board of Directors

MY FAMILY fell in love with Tahoe Donner when we bought our home here in 2010. The perfect escape from Bay Area commotion, we treasured our recreation and quiet time in the mountains with our daughter, Jes. 

When I retired in 2015, my husband Brian and I realized our dream to live in Tahoe Donner full time. We got involved with clubs and committees, enjoyed the amenities, hiked the trails with our dog, Desi, and rarely missed a live music event. 

With the support of family, friends, and Tahoe Donner neighbors, I recently beat breast cancer. Now I’m inspired to give back to the community that helped me heal by serving on Tahoe Donner’s Board of Directors.


Let’s renew our focus on valuing members with member first amenities, member involved decisions, and member motivated improvements. Let’s bring member focused fiscal discipline to our HOA’s finances and make wildfire protection priority #1! If you’re ready to elect a true champion for positive change, I would be honored to have your endorsement and your vote.


Valuing Members

Whether it’s your primary or vacation home, whether you've owned for decades or moved in last week, Tahoe Donner should provide all members with an outstanding experience. Sadly, many members feel disillusioned by the value and enjoyment they’re getting. With my leadership, Tahoe Donner will renew its focus on valuing members. 

Member Focused Finances

The board has a fiduciary duty to provide robust fiscal discipline, reliable financial planning, strong reserves, prudent capital improvements, and realistic budgets. As members, we also have a right to candid communication, especially when fees go up and costs are higher than projected. To maintain your financial trust, we must improve our budget development process, and make our capital improvement planning more precise and transparent.

Member First Amenities

Too many members feel they have been pushed out of our private amenities by rising access fees and increasing crowds. Even my family buys a state park beach pass because Tahoe Donner’s Marina is often too packed to enjoy. Where’s the fun if the amenities are too crowded? Where’s the pride of ownership if we’re nickel-and-dimed to enter the facilities we own? I support amenity access policy reform that prioritizes member use, encourages member enjoyment, and promotes pride of ownership.

Member Involved Decisions

In Tahoe Donner, there are as many viewpoints as there are members. We all have an equal right to be heard. Before making big decisions, the board should hear from all members, not just the loudest voices. From my successful member outreach efforts in Tahoe Donner, I know it’s time to structure meetings and decision-making processes to promote more meaningful member involvement.


No Drama, Just Results

Real difference-makers get involved, do their homework and develop positive, collaborative partnerships based on mutual trust and respect. That’s how I got results during my career; that’s how I will get results for you. I have extensive Tahoe Donner governance experience and expertise. I understand our diverse membership. I’m uniquely prepared to partner with the board, our management team, and you, our members, to arrive at well-reasoned, balanced decisions.

Here For You

Relaxing with family and friends, enjoying the amenities, going outside to play: the same dreams that first brought us together as neighbors keep us together today. We’re all stewards working to preserve Tahoe Donner’s beauty and community for future generations. I value you as members and neighbors. I would be honored to have your vote and to represent you on Tahoe Donner’s Board of Directors.