Her Story
About Dana
Dana Prenger is a marketing professional who graduated from Bowling Green State University in 2024 with a BSBA and a marketing specialization. She began her career at SmartSolve Industries, a sustainable packaging startup in Bowling Green, Ohio, as an Ohio Export Intern while taking marketing classes. She continued with a part-time SDR intern role involving cold calls, then worked as Marketing Coordinator throughout 2024 before her promotion to Marketing Manager in January 2026. In her current role, she manages a few interns and a full-time digital content coordinator. Prenger also earned a Green Marketing Academy Certificate focused on sustainability and avoiding greenwashing. She supports the Champions in Action nonprofit with social media efforts and attributes her success to her community and family support system.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Dana
01What do you attribute your success to?
I always attribute my success to my community, and just growing up in a small town, and having a strong support system, my parents, family, growing up throughout school and into college. And yeah, they just continued to support me, and all my ups and downs and life decisions.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would say, prototype, and as weird as it is, it's a unique word, but it's, like, trying new things, but a little less cliche, like, instead of just try. Like, actually get in, do it, build it, start small. If you have this big goal, start in a small and do a practical implementation. So, trying new things, and taking action.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Challenges include recycling rates being low and stifling innovation like water-soluble packaging. Also, using AI for marketing content generation is both a challenge and opportunity.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values SmartSolve has are character, drive, innovation, joy, humility, and growth. Growth is important as I grow in my career, not just professionally but personally as well. I really like the core value of joy, being able to have joy in what you do. Simple things like holding the door open for somebody, or you never know how much just your smile and your positivity can impact somebody else's day.
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