About:

From NYC to LA, and at home everywhere.

I’ve always believed that everything I do today began in my grandmother’s kitchen. We’d watch the news every day while we made a butter cake which became a daily routine for us. She was my biggest influence. The one who showed me the power of listening, storytelling, and love through food. Before she passed in 2015, I was able to tell her that everything I do is because of her, from radio to baking, it all ties back to those early moments we shared.

My passion for radio began when I was just seven years old, networking before I even knew what networking meant. I would attend WPLJ/WABC charity baseball games, hoping one day to be part of that incredible world. Almost a decade later, that dream came true when I landed my first gig at WPLJ. That moment kicked off what is now a 15-year career in radio, one that’s taken me from New York to Los Angeles and introduced me to some of the most interesting, inspiring people you could ever imagine.

I started my career at William Paterson University, earning my BA in Media Production. I hosted an award-winning morning show on WPSC-FM, helped launch College Radio Day, and served as President of the campus TV network… all while working full-time at CBS Radio. There, I oversaw promotions for stations including WNEW, WCBS, WNYL, WINS, and WCBS-AM. Eventually, I joined 1010 WINS, where I sharpened my skills in editing, producing, and news writing.

In 2016, I took a leap of faith and moved to Los Angeles for a video producer job, a move that led to one of the most pivotal chapters of my career. After the video producer gig, I landed a producer role at iHeartRadio where I produced for JoJo on the Radio (KIIS-FM), The Bill Handel Show, The Fork Report (KFI-AM), and the globally syndicated iHeartRadio Countdown. I also helped JoJo launch his hit paranormal podcast Paranormal-ish… and yes, I have plenty of wild stories from that chapter!

A longtime goal of mine was to work at ABC, and I was proud to do just that for six years. But eventually, I realized I wanted to give back in a different way, through storytelling that connects, uplifts, and inspires. So now, a year out from that chapter, I’m continuing to evolve: producing podcasts for a variety of shows, including my own, Dishin’ with Dana, where I talk to people who are living out their dreams and doing what truly makes them happy.

I’m also a Contributing Editor for Radio Ink, where I get to celebrate and spotlight incredible voices in our industry. Beyond that, I take on what I proudly call my “side quests.” These are roles that feed my creativity and keep me grounded (or in a plane – IYKYK). I still work at the restaurant I started at 14 years ago, right at the start of my radio journey. It keeps me connected to real people and real stories, and sometimes even gives me instant feedback on the stories I tell.

One of my proudest projects, though, has nothing to do with radio waves or spotlights, it’s about chrome and formica. I grew up walking past the Little Falls Diner for 30 years, always wondering about its history. In 2023, I was given the opportunity to restore it, just days before it was scheduled to be knocked down. The fact that I’ve gotten this far, when it was supposed to be gone within a week of that first phone call, feels unreal. It’s proof that when you truly believe in something, anything is possible.

My dessert business, Dana’s Desserts, has been a driving force behind my mission to bring the diner back to life. I launched it in 2015, the same year I lost my grandma, and it’s become both a creative outlet and a tribute to her. I’m best known for my cheesecakes, one of her favorite desserts, and if I had one wish, it would be to bring her back just so she could try one today. Through both baking and the diner project, I’ve connected with diner owners, historians, and enthusiasts across the country, learning more about people, resilience, and life than I ever expected.

Modeling became another side quest, something I stumbled into by chance and kept going by messaging designers on Instagram, asking if they wanted to collaborate. I’ve learned that if you don’t try, you’ll never know. You never know who you might meet that could change your life, collaborate with you, or inspire your next move. That mindset has shaped so much of my path… from painting houses just because I can, to marching in a band as a drummer, making spectators smile.

Some people say I “do too much” or that I should “pick a lane.” But every experience gives me new insight into people… what they love, what moves them, what makes them feel seen. That’s the heart of my work. Whether I’m behind the mic, on camera, or in the community, I’m driven by curiosity, connection, and creativity.

I’ve been honored as a Radio Ink’s “30 and Under Superstar,” and I was a recipient of the MIW Mildred Carter Mentoring Program, a program I proudly volunteer with now. I’m also a proud member of RTDNA, and I can often be found volunteering at radio conferences across the country, sharing stories and supporting the next generation of broadcasters.

Radio will always be home for me. I believe in its power to connect, to comfort, and to remind people they’re not alone. And if you ever meet me in person, you’ll probably notice my microphone tattoo, a reminder that this isn’t just my career, it’s who I am.