monarch

Born in Cincinnati, Ohio to a father who made his living in broadcasting, Dana and her family moved to Philadelphia when she was 10. After graduating from high school, she took a job as a secretary for the Vice President of US Tobacco and also took up a rather unexpected hobby— skydiving. She left both pursuits when her first child was born, but soon rejoined the workforce at P&P Studios, a communications and media company. There, Dana was able to explore all areas of the business and soon found herself both in the studio doing voice over work and behind the scenes producing the spots. Perhaps because she was no longer jumping out of planes, she made a career leap instead, catapulting herself into a third professional chapter as an interior designer of luxury homes.

Dana had big dreams, and with those dreams often came big personalities she had to contend with. Her father, who had dealt with similar personal provocations, gave her some sage (and silly) advice: time wounds all heels. Throughout all the ups and downs, and twists and turns, one key phrase of her own has guided the way—to thine own self be true.

“Reach for the stars, as high as you can and as best you can,” said Dana. “If you’re true to yourself and what you believe in, you’ll make it.”

Short Story: Dana A.’s professional life has taken a winding path with some celebrity-studded stops along the way. A big believer in the importance of being true to oneself, Dana’s best piece of advice isn’t to befriend the stars—it’s to reach for them.