Dana Laurens most recently served as National Deputy Director for Advocacy, Policy Engagement & Partnerships at Education Reform Now, a national think-tank in Washington, DC, where she lobbied federal lawmakers to advance progressive policies that maximize educational opportunities for all students. Dana began her professional career in education at DC Public Schools’ central office and taught at public schools in New Orleans, LA, via Teach for America. She went on to teach as a certified special educator in Charleston, SC, prior to transitioning into local and state-level policy roles at the Charleston Promise Neighborhood and StudentsFirst South Carolina, where she led the K-12 legislative work. Dana immigrated from Trinidad & Tobago and is a first-generation college graduate, earning both her Bachelor of Arts and Master of Public Policy from the University of Virginia. She lives in Charlottesville with her enthusiastic four-year old, Jackson.