Dana Lopez loves to talk to anyone who will listen. She has channeled this love of communication throughout her life and has used her voice to share messages that she feels passionate about. She has been trained as an actress, performer, public motivational speaker, writer, and a communications & public relations specialist. A graduate of the School of Communications at Hofstra University (class of ’99), Dana is the current Director of Marketing & Communications for The INN, a local non-profit on Long Island dedicated to helping the local hungry and homeless population. Dana began speaking and performing on stages as a young teen with CityKids, a multicultural youth organization in NYC that gives young people a safe space to make their voice heard, and the tools to become leaders of social change, often through the arts. She is an alumnus of the Drama department of LaGuardia High School of Music and Arts and the Performing Arts in NYC, and has a few acting credits on smaller stages, off-Broadway and in educational videos. Later, Dana used her voice to speak to thousands of students through the organization Making it Count!, by visiting high schools and colleges around the country to talk to students about how to prepare for higher education and a successful future. Now through The INN, Dana’s voice is heard as she speaks to schools, corporations, and community groups about the mission of the nonprofit, and the importance of giving back to our local communities in need. Dana is a proud Nuyorican, a Puerto Rican born and raised in the Flatbush section of Brooklyn, New York. She is a wife and the mother of two pre-teenage daughters and currently lives with her family on Long Island. Dana strives to give her daughters a strong sense of confidence and self-worth, by learning to use their voice as a tool for growth as they navigate through life.
Act 1 of SPEAK: Beginnings features 5 incredible talks to start our show.