Dana Loatman
About Dana Loatman
Dana Loatman serves as the Senior Director of External Affairs at the Obama Foundation, where she has worked since 2022. She has a strong background in nonprofit management and corporate partnerships, having mobilized significant funding for various initiatives aimed at improving opportunities for marginalized communities.
Work at Obama Foundation
Dana Loatman currently serves as the Senior Director of External Affairs at the Obama Foundation, a position she has held since 2022. In this role, she oversees strategy and operations to engage external audiences and partners in initiatives related to President and Mrs. Obama’s legacy. Her responsibilities include managing programs such as My Brother's Keeper Alliance, Global Girls Education, and Civic Engagement/Leadership Development. Additionally, she previously worked at the Obama Foundation as the Deputy Director of Corporate & Foundation Relations from 2017 to 2021 and as an Advisor to the CEO & Director of Corporate Partnerships & Principal Gifts from 2021 to 2022.
Education and Expertise
Dana Loatman holds a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Sociology from Bowie State University, where she studied from 2009 to 2014. She also earned a Master of Science (M.S.) in Social Work with a focus on Social Innovation & Leadership and International Practice from Boston College, completing her studies from 2014 to 2016. Her educational background supports her expertise in nonprofit management, corporate partnerships, and community engagement.
Background
Dana Loatman has a diverse professional background in nonprofit and community development. She began her career as a Community Outreach Coordinator at I5 CHURCH, where she worked from 2008 to 2014. She has held various roles, including Marketing Communications Officer at the Institute for Nonprofit Practice and Global Philanthropy Administrator at The Philanthropic Initiative. Her experience also includes positions at My Brother's Keeper Alliance and World Vision, where she focused on business development and sustainable development goals.
Achievements
Dana Loatman has mobilized over $25 million to enhance opportunities for boys and men of color through workforce development programs and narrative change campaigns at My Brother's Keeper Alliance. She played a significant role in building the Corporate & Foundations Partnerships team at the Obama Foundation, securing partnerships with major brands and raising over $150 million. Additionally, she was instrumental in launching SDG Watch Europe, a civil society alliance aimed at holding governments accountable for implementing the United Nations Global Goals.
Community Involvement
Dana Loatman serves on the board of Chicago Cares, an organization that promotes community engagement and volunteerism in the Chicago area. Her involvement reflects her commitment to fostering community development and supporting initiatives that enhance civic participation.