About Jeannette McDonald

At fifteen, Jeannette McDonald’s world collapsed in a single phone call. Her mother had been murdered. Her father was the suspect. And Jeannette — still a teenager — would soon face the devastating task of testifying against him in court.

That moment could have broken her. Instead, it built her.

Jeannette went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and dedicated years of her career to working with domestic violence victims, helping families navigate the justice system with the kind of empathy only lived experience can provide. She became the guide she never had.

Forty years after losing her mother, Jeannette finally put her story on paper. The result is The Phoenix Path: Rising from the Ashes of Tragedy to Victory — a memoir that is part true crime, part healing guide, and entirely unforgettable.

Today, Jeannette lives in the desert Southwest and continues her work as an author, speaker, and advocate. She believes that no matter what fire has touched your life, the phoenix inside you is still capable of rising.

She is available for speaking engagements, media appearances, and coaching.