Dana Childress joins Leading Edge as Vice President, Leading Places to Work. She is charged with supporting the field’s “people people”, building their capacity, creating a community of practice and helping organizations become great places to work. Previously, she completed a 15-year tenure with Teach For America, developing and leading the organization’s talent acquisition efforts to hire its staff. Dana lives in Washington, D.C. with her husband, Patrick and two young, active sons, Cole and Ben. (Read her full bio here.)

Here are a few Q&As to help you get to know her.

What drew you to Leading Edge?

I am deeply motivated by organizations who want to do social good having the talent in place to do just that. In my former role, I spent a lot of time getting people to think about talent holistically, and well before needs became acute. I love that Leading Edge aims to think critically about the whole organizational picture—not just getting great people in the door, but supporting them once they've arrived and creating a community for leaders to learn together. I also feel so fortunate to have learned and grown as a leader in a Jewish organization as a high school student—it really gave me such confidence and changed my career path, so I am excited to return to the sector in a formal capacity.

What does a “great place to work” mean to you?

A great place to work is one rooted in clear, shared values where openness, productivity, rest, collaboration, individual strengths, learning and failure can all co-exist.

What are you looking forward to most about your new position?

People and talent practitioners have been on such a wild ride over the last year and half, holding so much down for their organizations! I am eager to connect with our sector's practitioners to thank them, support them and further build a learning community together in order to help their organizations do their best work.

What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?

“It shouldn't have to happen to you for it to matter to you” has guided me in leading with empathy and compassion and centering above all else on curiosity.

What’s your favorite place to travel?

If I get to travel without children, wandering through cities is my favorite—especially New York and San Francisco. As a family, I'm looking forward to exploring our national parks. We loved Jackson Hole and the Grand Tetons.

What's the best TV show, movie, book or podcast you've consumed in the last year?

I just read and enjoyed Anxious People and The Vanishing Half. I regularly read and love “Culture Study”, a newsletter by Anne Helen Petersen, who writes about all types of fascinating cultural topics, from the recent LulaRich documentary to youth sports.

Anything else you’d like to share?

The beginning of the school year and Jewish new year feels like a perfect time to start fresh — I am excited to be here and get started!