Oregon Staff

Dana grew up in Portland, Oregon, and attended Barnard College in New York City. She graduated magna cum laude with a B.A. in Political Science and a minor in Elementary Education.

While studying to be a teacher, Dana was a volunteer in a low-income school in Harlem, and a student teacher in a wealthy charter school on the Upper West Side. The contrast of these two experiences inspired her to fight for equal opportunities for all children.

After graduating, Dana taught third grade in Clackamas County, Oregon. While she loved working with children, she found herself wanting to make a long-term, systemic difference to make sure all students were learning in great schools with supported teachers and principals. Dana was a community organizer with Stand for Children before becoming the Advocacy Director.