A native of Florida, Dana graduated from Duke University with a bachelor’s in public policy and Georgia Tech with a master’s in city and regional planning. Dana started with the Greater Sacramento Economic Council as the Director of Research in September 2023. She is responsible for working with economic development, marketing, strategic and other GSEC project leads to provide data and research content. Dana is committed to providing credible information that helps market the region for economic opportunities and raise Greater Sacramento’s profile around the globe as a place of innovation, growth and desirable live-work balance.

Dana brings to GSEC over 20 years of research experience for economic, workforce and community development. She was the lead researcher for the Georgia Department of Economic Development for nine years. During her time with GDEcD, the state announced 3,302 projects, 253,225 jobs and $55.6 billion investment, and Georgia was named the No. 1 State for Businesses for eight consecutive years by Site Selection magazine. 

Her prior experience includes data analysis for Georgia’s Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act (WIOA) programs and research and project management to support the development of strategic plans for economic development and related fields in a consulting capacity; first with a small private firm and later with the Georgia Institute of Technology’s Enterprise Innovation Institute.

Dana graduated from Duke University with a bachelor’s in public policy and Georgia Tech with a master’s in city and regional planning. Outside of work Dana enjoys volunteering with her daughters’ school and Girl Scout troops; discussing the most recent read with her book club; and planning travel to the next capital city remaining on her bucket list goal to visit all 50. For Dana, visiting capital cities means an opportunity to enjoy her love of studying architecture, downtowns, history and politics all at just one street address. She is excited to commit her work life to Greater Sacramento, a welcome if previously unforeseen perfect alignment with her bucket list goal.