Her Story
About Dana
I founded Life Solutions International to pursue my passion for seeing reconciliation in individual lives and organizations. My work has never been about making a name for myself or financial independence - it's been driven by a deep passion for reconciliation. With over 30 years of experience spanning ministry and education, I've served as a life skills coach in both men's and women's prisons, teaching life skills to those who are incarcerated. I also work with nonprofit organizations to teach life skills to women. My main area of expertise is human relations and racial reconciliation, which comes from my personal experience as a biracial child who grew up during the Civil Rights era. I wrote an autobiography called 'Reconciled: Black by Experience, My Struggle for Legitimacy' that tells my personal testimony about growing up biracial during that time and discusses the dynamics that happen in families with mixed cultures and how to navigate through those challenges. I have an upcoming book interview on the 22nd and am working with an Emmy Award-winning director in Oklahoma on a documentary based on the book. I've conducted racial reconciliation conferences and spoken at International Women's Day conferences on topics like the ABCs of realistic goal setting. Beyond consulting, I'm also a writer, poet, singer, and songwriter who uses the performing arts - music, theater, dance, and poetry - with an evangelistic approach. I hold a master's degree in human relations and have degrees in Fine Arts Ministry, along with certifications in mental health, case management, and behavioral health. I'm an administrator for the Oklahoma Pastors and Ministers Association and a University of Oklahoma alumna. I completed the 13-week NASDAQ Milestone Program for women entrepreneurs sponsored by Wells Fargo, which connected me to a vast network of women entrepreneurs worldwide. My approach to my work is grounded in my faith, which is central to everything I do, and my understanding of my own human limitations. I believe in giving grace because I've received grace, and I make impact on a regular basis in everyday people's lives - that's just the norm for me.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Dana
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to falling on my face enough times to realize that I'm not in control. My failures have led me to understand my human limitations and to recognize that I need to rely on something greater than myself. It's through those experiences of vulnerability and recognizing that I'm not in control that I've been able to grow and make the impact I do today. My faith and trust in God's ability to lead and guide me through every circumstance has been central to whatever success I've achieved.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
I didn't really receive much career advice, which is sad. What I did for myself was come up with something I call mapping. I spoke at an International Women's Day conference about the ABCs of realistic goal setting, and the concept is very simple: you need to know where you are, where you're going, and how you're going to get there. It sounds simplistic, but when it comes to setting goals, it helps you stay on track. If you can pinpoint where you are in your life right now - spiritually, financially, emotionally, mentally, all of the above - and you can depict and express in detail where you're going or where you want to go, and then you can realistically map out the smaller, incremental steps of how you're going to get there, then it doesn't matter what happens in life. You get derailed by circumstances or setbacks, but you always have that map, so you can always go back and check those things as often as you need to.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Make sure that you find a good mentor. That is very well-rounded and has experience in multiple levels in society.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
For me, the biggest challenge is actually holding fast to my values, because there's so much political correctness out there. Being genuine in what I say is important, because a lot of times people may try to misconstrue what I say. I can still be who I am and you not understand that without us having a falling out. It's about maintaining authenticity and staying true to my values even when others might not understand or might disagree with my perspective.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Faith is central to everything that I do. Nothing is separated from that, because that's who I am. Even though I don't force anything on anybody, I make it very apparent to individuals that my trust and my faith is in God and His ability to lead and guide me through every circumstance that I have to face. He's much bigger than me. My identity is in Christ - I was formed by Him, I am loved unconditionally by God, and that is the greatest identity that I could possibly get. All He requires of me is to turn around and share that with somebody else.
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