Dana Pauley

Dana Pauley (EL 2017) takes a vision and makes it a reality through solid strategy development and acquiring critical funds. In July 2021, she became the third President & CEO of Leadership Montgomery (LM), a community leadership organization whose mission is to connect and prepare leaders to build thriving and inclusive workplaces and communities. Together with staff and board, Dana leads the organization’s strategic direction, program development, and day-to-day operations to serve an alumni network of more than 2,500 leaders. She joined LM in 2018 as the Vice President, Philanthropic Investments to lead the team that oversees fundraising, marketing, membership, and events. In that role, she was responsible for increasing the organization’s revenue and served as a leader in the design and implementation of LM’s race equity offerings. While serving as the Interim Executive Director from October 2020 through June 2021, she led the organization during a global pandemic, using innovative and creative approaches to continue programming and introducing virtual education sessions to keep leaders connected.

Dana has proven to be a calm and compassionate leader, consistently delivering results while quickly adapting to ever-shifting priorities and environments. Her ability to lift up those around her to meet their potential has led to numerous high-quality programming and events. She knows the key to success is meeting people where they are and leveraging individual skills and knowledge to foster positive and productive collaboration. As President and CEO of Leadership Montgomery, she wants to ensure leaders have the access, resources, and connections needed to thrive and advance the community.

Before joining LM in 2018, Pauley served as Development Director for MdBio Foundation (now called Learning Undefeated), where she was instrumental in growing revenue by more than forty percent during a three-year period. After a career transition from retail management, she has held leadership positions in development and marketing for education and health nonprofits. Across her nonprofit career, she has partnered and worked with global companies, foundations, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations to further collaborative leadership that achieves access, equity, and inclusion.

Ms. Pauley is a board member of the Upcounty Citizens Advisory Board, a board member of Committee for Montgomery, a member of the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce Advisory Board,  a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, and regularly participates in additional volunteering activities in the community. She has previously served as the Chair of the Arts & Humanities Council of Montgomery County. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Human Services with a concentration in Counseling and is a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE). She resides in Montgomery County with her husband and three children. She draws inspiration from great conversation, both inside and outside of work, and relies on exercise, fellowship, and family adventures to provide grounding, challenge, and respite.