Dana’s Story
Dana Macena joined The Dwelling Place as Executive Director as of August 2019. She came to us with over a decade of property management experience which includes both multifamily leasing and homeowners association management. Having worked with low income tax-credit housing and luxury communities she brings unique insight on the affordable housing crisis in Montgomery County.
In her professional endeavors, she has been the go-to person for strategic marketing, brand management, program development and project management. She served as the Communication and Events Director for the premier new urbanist community, Kentlands, for almost 5 years before transitioning into the nonprofit industry. Owing to her childhood, it has always been a special place in her heart to serve homeless families.
Dana’s mother, an immigrant from Germany, moved here with her older sister at the age of 9 with their military father. Her mother at 9 months pregnant, with Dana, left her toxic marriage for the safety of her unborn child. Dana’s mother moved in with a family as an in-house nanny. She worked three jobs and returned back to school to learn the English equivalent to acquire work in her learned profession. She made $1000 a year too much to get access to supportive services so she relied on her faith and the community for support.
Dana remembers as a child living in a one bedroom apartment, sleeping on a twin size bed in the dining room with her mother and having a finite supply of food. Because of her upbringing, the opportunity to serve as the Executive Director of The Dwelling Place brings her full circle.
While she manages day-to-day operations, she hopes that her story can inspire a child or parent in the program to realize that they can achieve their dreams. That their current situation is not an ending, but only kindling to fuel their burning desire.
Dana’s acquired her Bachelors of Arts in Political Science with a Pre-Law Concentration and Japanese minor from Lincoln University of Pennsylvania, the first Historically Black College or University. She has also completed several master’s level courses in Organizational Leadership & Development at The George Washington University.
She spends as much time as she can with her two daughters and two dogs. She loves to learn languages and about other cultures, cook, bake, travel, workout and try new restaurants. Her 2023 goal is to brush up on her piano skills.
