Dana Smith

Dana is a seasoned education professional and development leader with nearly two decades of experience advancing initiatives that ensure all students—regardless of background—have the resources and support they need to thrive. She has dedicated her career to removing barriers to success and building equitable pathways to opportunity.

Dana has led high-impact grant strategy, development operations, and donor engagement efforts to expand access to transformative educational programming. She has managed the full grants lifecycle—from prospect research and proposal development to reporting and compliance—while overseeing internal systems and teams to maximize fundraising efficiency and impact. Her leadership has driven multimillion-dollar grant efforts across multiple states, securing vital resources for schools and nonprofits.

A proud educator at heart, Dana began her career as a classroom teacher and later served as a literacy specialist and Title I Coordinator. Her work improved instructional quality, elevated student outcomes, and deepened family and community engagement.

Dana holds a Bachelor of Science in Education from Indiana University–Indianapolis, graduating with highest distinction. She resides in Indiana with her husband, Shawn, their son, Bryce, and their dog, Sparky.