Testimonials

Hear from Dana’s extensive network of C-suite executives, marketing veterans, sales leaders, and cross-functional partners about what work life is like with her.

Dana is an accomplished marketing leader with expertise in brand development, corporate communications, public relations, and social media. She has extensive experience in the hospitality and multifamily sectors to build, manage and execute global marketing initiatives that drive business reputation and bottom-line revenue. Dana is an effective collaborator, an empathetic colleague, and an absolute pleasure to work with.

Lisa Tully - Former CMO, Sentral

Dana is a marketing and PR pro, well-versed in working with media, and influencers and creating content that performs.

Laura McMurchie - VP Communications, Experience Scottsdale

There are few individuals who understand the critical confluence of, PR, digital, social, and analytics in hospitality marketing and sales yet Dana has that unique right/left-brained strategical thinking that makes her a rarity in our business.

Maggie Lang - Former Head of People, Sentral + CEO, CIVANA

Dana has demonstrated the ability to articulate information & ideas well. She is a loyal employee, taking her role within any company very seriously. She’d be an asset to any team and the best employee I ever had. If I had another role for her now, I would hire her in an instant!

Carol Stratford - Partner and Head of Marketing, Hutchinson Consulting, Former VP of Marketing, Miraval

Dana is committed, organized, and has the highest values, and leads by example. Exceptional team player & a great teacher! To this day, I still call on her to collaborate.

Antwon Dixon - DOSM, Hilton + Former DOSM, Omni

As a team player, she was unparalleled in her work ethic and commitment to care for guests and associates. She completely turned around the communications element of a full-scale marketing team. I regarded her as one of Omni’s strongest players 3 years in a row.

Doug Varsano - Founder, Expectrum Group + Former DOSM Omni

I view Dana as a branding soothsayer, deftly translating the essence of a brand into inspiring content that crosses any medium. Whether it's a multi-platform brand campaign or a targeted social media execution, Dana is the brand director who gets results. As a colleague, Dana is the team's natural cheerleader and culture champion. She brings empathy and humanity into every work stream and project team. Her thoughtfulness and ability to support team members at all levels in the organization is incomparable.

Jonathan Smith - Former Director of CRM, Sentral

Dana is an experienced marketer who understands what it takes to deliver results through collaboration.

Kai Hsiao - CEO, Eclipse Senior Living

Dana is both very bright and quite motivated. She will devote herself to any team with a high degree of diligence. She is a quick learner and has shown she can balance many tasks at once.

Michael Tompkins - Partner, Hutchinson Consulting + Former CEO, Miraval

Dana is the most effective, results-driven DOM that I have ever worked with. Her collaborative & creative style draws the best from the team and fosters win-win media relationships and a win-win for all involved. Rarely is this type of talent underpinned with the exceptional ability to project manages an effective marketing plan.

Sandy Burkett - Former General Manager, CIVANA + Kimpton

Dana’s work ethic, creativity, organizational abilities, and tenacity were a gift to us every day at Long Realty Company.

Debbie Goodman-Butler - Former COO, Long Companies

Working with Dana is an absolute joy. She knows just what you need and want before you do. Her approach to everything is creative, yet doable. We wish that she worked at HDLSR. She is a gem!”

Nancy Swickard - Owner, Hacienda de Los Santos Resort + Spa

Dana is resourceful, tenacious, smart, and innovative. She has a lot of hustle and entrepreneurial spirit. She understands the tourism and hospitality community in AZ and is well-connected within Arizona tourism marketing, but in addition to that she has applied her marketing expertise to new markets and has adapted her skill set to new and unique opportunities.

Jen Duffy - Former DOC, Experience Scottsdale & VP Marketing ALHI

Dana is an absolute dream to work with. She has the rare gift of being acutely detail orientated while at the same time maintaining a “big picture” perspective. Dana is both efficient and highly organized, making every creative collaboration we have shared successful and enjoyable. Her sunny, positive attitude and her unparalleled work ethic make her a highly valuable member of any creative team.

James Baigrie - Luxury Hospitality Photographer, Sentral

I had the pleasure of working with Dana for several years and she accomplished much in her time at Miraval. She is extremely hardworking, dedicated, thorough, well-organized, and creative!

Philippe Bourguignon - Vice Chairman, Revolution Places + Former Miraval CEO

Dana managed the seemingly insurmountable task of launching a new brand, marketing, PR, and social program in the span of a few short months. With only a handful of resources, she built and led a vibrant creative platform and a dynamic team that delivered hundreds of projects on time and on brand. Dana's organization, efficiency, sensibility, grace, and tireless work ethic made this monumental venture possible. It is truly a pleasure collaborating with Dana, and I very much look forward to the opportunity to partner with her again.

Dana Gross - Founder + Creative Director, DG Coterie Agency

Dana is efficient, creative, and effective. Her collaborative approach makes her an ideal marketing partner for all operational departments. Dana’s connections and resources, paired with her knowledge in the industry allow for effortless marketing campaigns that hit all target audiences without fail.

Stevie White - Director of Spa, Civana + Omni

Dana is one of those unique individuals that can develop marketing strategies and execute them with precision.

Kevin Kaplan - VP Marketing + Technology, Long Companies

Dana is a catalyst for positive change and innovation. We worked together throughout the rollout of Cobu at Sentral; Dana’s dedication to excellence throughout the launch was inspiring and her leadership fostered a lasting spirit of collaboration. She is extremely hardworking, diligent, creative, brings a ‘can-do’ mindset to every interaction, and always leads with her values and integrity. And on top of that she is an absolute pleasure to work with!

Ben Pleat - CEO + Founder, COBU

To me, Dana is a true reflection of a Sentral’s core values. She is transparent in her execution and is an expert at anticipating existing and future needs. She strives to obtain 100% achievement, not only as it relates to her own goals, but also to her team and cross-functional work streams. She is an incredible leader and collaborator. She is truly a superstar.

Wendy Coplen - Former Corporate Director of Community Marketing, Sentral

Dana is an incredible leader and mentor and has been there every step of the way throughout my career. She has always been my champion, helped me reach new heights, and allowed me to shine. She always puts others before herself. She is loyal, kind, supportive, hard-working, dedicated, results-driven, creative, productive, and a team player, and she just makes working with her fun. Any company would be extremely fortunate to have Dana on its team.

Cat Dupree - Former Direct Report, Senior Digital Manager, Sentral + Omni

I emphatically recommend Dana as a tremendous example of professional polished leadership. She is intently focused on the mission at hand. She thrives by building relationships and her genuine care for others.

Patrick Brophy - Former General Manager, Omni

Simply put, Dana is a rockstar, who's best in class hospitality marketing skillset is only outmatched by her kind, empathetic and collaborative personality. With Dana, I was always confident that when she took on a challenge or task the results would be stellar; her track record stands for itself. This happens because Dana's approach to problem-solving and project planning. She would always ensure that the project plan was EXTREMELY well researched and thought out and thorough, risks were taken into consideration, and of course, the brand integrity was always maintained. It was great to have a partner that spoke my (digital language) which made bridging the gap between traditional and digital marketing so efficient when we collaborated on projects. She is one of the good ones, on many levels, and I would 1000% work with Dana again if given the opportunity.

Steve Gordon - Senior Director of Digital Marketing + E-commerce, Sentral

As a longtime luxury sales and marketing executive, I can unequivocally attest that Dana is among the best and brightest marketers in the industry. Dana possesses a unique blend of business acumen, work ethic, and leadership, unlike anyone I have ever worked with – such a gifted talent.

Frank Ashmore - Managing Director, 1440 Multiversity + Former Area GM Omni

Communications pro, driven to excel and highly skilled at managing teams & projects.

Steve Pinetti - Co-Founder, Kimpton + CIVANA Advisor

Dana is the most dependable, timely, detailed, and creative team player that I’ve ever worked with. She is willing to do anything she can for the team and the company’s success.

Renee Gonzales - CEO, Long Companies

Dana Wendell is a masterful marketing leader in her ability to strategically build and scale lifestyle brands, drive profitability and nurture talent in a fast-paced environment.

Shannon Spillett - Founder, Spillett Unlimited Branding

Dana's rare combination of creativity and enviable organizational skills makes her a powerhouse to work with. She is goal-oriented, an absolute team player, and has a positive approach. She is a welcomed addition to any organization.

Cyndy Neighbors - Founder, Many Hats Agency + Former VP of Marketing, Canyon Ranch

Dana is my rock star! She always brings creativity to the table in a way that supports operations. She pulls inspiration out of me and all of those around her. It would be a true pleasure to work with her again.

Justin Macy - Executive Chef + Author, Civana + Miraval

Dana is an extremely committed and hardworking team player, who can see the big picture while also ensuring small details don’t get missed. She’d be an asset to any team.

Adam Ross - Founder + CEO, CIVANA

Dana is without a doubt the most competent and gifted marketing professional I have had the privilege to work with. She combines both creative talents while remaining grounded with a practical ability to guide the execution of virtually any initiative she is charged with.

Simon Marxer - VP Spa + Wellbeing, Miraval

Dana has tremendous organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple initiatives simultaneously.

Dave Stevenson - VP of Sales + Marketing, Santa Catalina Island Company + Miraval

Dana is great with events, plans, and the overall execution of ideas. Super-organized, creative, even-tempered, deadline-oriented, i.e., the member of your business ‘Dream Team'.

Sue Giles - Former Editor-in-Chief, Tucson Lifestyle Magazines

Dana is a great teammate and accomplished marketer. Her work at Sentral in terms of the development of our brand and social presence was always high impact. I hope to work with Dana again.

Jon Slavet - Former CEO, Sentral

Dana is an amazing leader and beyond talented in the various fields of marketing. She has an incredible ability to guide others through impossible tasks while maintaining complete composure and ensuring group morale is high. Dana is also an incredible mentor! With her guidance, I was able to discover my passion for marketing and develop my skill set to land my dream job. Her kind heart and tenacity make her unstoppable!

Amanda McDonald - Former Direct Report, Marketing Project Manager, Sentral + Civana

I had the pleasure of working with Dana to launch a new wellness resort brand in Arizona. Her insight, enthusiasm, and expertise in marketing positioned us to succeed in an extremely competitive space.

Ann Patton - Director of Spa, Arizona Biltmore, Waldorf Astoria

Dana has a wealth of knowledge, experience and her organizational skills are unmatched. What makes Dana truly exceptional as a Marketing & Communications leader is her capacity to effectively manage competing priorities. This special quality allows our company to produce and compete at a higher level, because efficiency, quality and creativity are at their peak under Dana's leadership.

Mike Schugt - Former President, Teneo Hospitality Group