Envision and Lead
to a Better Future

Sheila joined DANA as President and CEO in August 2015. She is the former Executive Director of the Rehoboth Art League in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. Her professional experience spans nonprofit, for-profit, and academia. She began her career in advertising, then in brand leadership positions launching new products, expanding businesses internationally, and developing strategic growth plans for brands such as Vlasic Pickles, Godiva Chocolatier, Corelle Dinnerware, Corningware Ovenware and Pyrex bakeware. She transitioned to provide strategic planning, new product and leadership consulting services to mid-size companies and nonprofit organizations in a variety of industries. Her work led her to pursue a doctorate in leadership, specializing in non-profit governance. Bravo has a PhD in Organizational Leadership from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, an MBA in International Business from Thunderbird School of Global Management, and a BS in Business and Languages from Millersville University. Sheila lives in Lewes.

Mel Carney joins DANA with a strong background in office management and paralegal expertise. Mel spent several years in North Carolina, before moving back to the Delaware area to join a Healthcare Rehabilitation Center, where she served as the assistant to the Rehab Center Manager. Most recently, Mel was a bankruptcy paralegal in Wilmington. She brings excellent organizational skills and a bright personality to DANA. When not in the office, Mel enjoys spending time with her husband and pup, Super Dude.

Jen Cooper joins DANA as the Program Director. In her role, she will lead DANA’s training programs which include workshops, communities of practice, and fellowships. With a wealth of experience in Operations and Leadership, Jen brings her expertise in education and nonprofit management to the table. She is known for her ability to implement lean business operations in nonprofits, strengthening and expanding their programs and organizations. Jen has a proven track record of excelling in lean business operations, customer service, coaching, and strategic planning, which has led to successful program implementation and organizational accomplishments. Her strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders have consistently yielded positive outcomes.

Jen’s work has been focused on underserved communities, particularly in areas like Camden, NJ, Seattle, WA, Chester, PA, and throughout Philadelphia. She is dedicated to bringing educational opportunities and fostering community growth in these areas. Jen holds a Master of Social Work in Nonprofit Administration from the University of Washington and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Social Work from Widener University.

Daniel joins DANA with a background in customer service, volunteer recruitment, and membership programs. He was formerly a District Director for the Del-Mar-Va Council, Boy Scouts of America. In that role, he built relationships between various stakeholders in the community to grow the impact of local Scouting programs. Previously, he developed programs for the Black Diamond Council Girl Scouts of the USA, and served jobseekers as an Employment Programs Interviewer for the West Virginia Department of Finance. Daniel comes from West Virginia, where he studied history at West Virginia University before earning a bachelor of arts degree in history and a master’s degree in business administration from American Public University. When not in the office, he is an avid reader and loves to travel to national parks and new craft breweries. Daniel lives in Dover with his wife, Sara and daughter, Lucy.

Damien has joined the DANA Team in the role of Engagement Manager. Prior to joining DANA, Damien held the position of Manager, Digital Product and Event Sponsorship with the Better Business Bureau of Greater Maryland. Damien has a passion for working within the community and currently serves on the Board of Griff 54 Promise, a nonprofit organization that helps mentor New Castle County youth.

Tony Ferlenda serves as Director of Consulting providing support to DANA’s members primarily in Kent and Sussex counties. Tony has extensive nonprofit leadership and consulting experience. He recently worked with Horizon Philanthropic advising Delaware nonprofits on strategies for short-term and long-term fund development as well as strategic planning and leadership development. Prior, Tony served as the executive director of several regional and national nonprofits including National Fragile X Foundation, Sarcoma Foundation of America, and the American Red Cross. His early career included development and fundraising roles in social service and higher education nonprofits. Tony has a Masters of Public Administration from Syracuse University and a Bachelors of Science in Communication from SUNY, State University of New York.

Alex Fizz joins DANA as the newest member of its consulting team. Alex’s career working in the nonprofit, academic, and entrepreneurial sectors has focused on how healthy relationships and positive dialogue bring opportunity to organizations and communities. As an independent educational consultant, he fostered cultures of continuous improvement and leadership by providing feedback, coaching, and resources to schools and school districts throughout the region and nationally. He brings his experience as an executive director, program coordinator, adjunct faculty member and board member to his training and facilitation work. Alex has an Associate of Arts in Secondary Education from Montgomery County Community College, a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies from Neumann University, and a Master of Science in Education with an emphasis on Social Emotional Learning from Neumann University.

Jalissia joined DANA as the Program Coordinator for DANA’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion work. She graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 2020 with Bachelor degrees in Politics and Philosophy, as well as Urban Studies. She is currently pursuing her Master’s Degree at the University of Delaware in Urban Affairs and Public Policy, while she works to build out DANA’s DEI program. She brings an assortment of experience in different fields such as education and mentorship to academic research and local political organizing.

Melissa brings a background in building partnerships, driving policy and advocacy to DANA. She was formerly the Director of External Affairs at the Rodel Foundation, where she guided policy strategy for education reform. As part of her work, she has been instrumental in creating a strong network of business, nonprofit, and school-based partners to advance the interests of Delaware students. Prior to her work at Rodel, she was Legislative Aide for the Majority Leader and Majority Whip in the Delaware House of Representatives. Before that, she held positions with the New Castle County Council and the University of Delaware in the School of Urban Affairs and Public Policy. A lifelong learner, she is pursuing her Masters in Public Administration at Wilmington University. She earned her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Delaware, and is a Leadership Delaware Fellow Alum. She has served as a board member with several Delaware nonprofits, and currently sits on the board of the Newark Day Nursery. Melissa and her family live in Newark, DE.

Great organizations that connect with the local community have inspired Leslie to spend the last 20 plus years developing communications strategies and the skills to help those agencies achieve their goals. Whether it’s creating responsive web designs, eye-catching marketing pieces, or picking up the latest social media platform to speak directly to an audience, finding the right voice has always been her primary goal. Before joining DANA, Leslie served eight years with the State of Delaware in media and community relations and fourteen years prior within the non-profit community as a marketing project manager and volunteer coordinator. Outside of the workday, you can find her reading, writing, painting, and sharing her photography on social media.

Earl brings more than 35 years of academic, non-profit, and corporate experience to his work in nonprofit consulting.

Earl’s experience includes five years in nonprofit financial management before spending more than a decade in public and private finance and venture capital, with Lightship Financial Group and The Ben Franklin Technology Center of Southeastern Pennsylvania, providing technical, organizational, and business development support to early and mid-stage technology entrepreneurs and companies. After attending the University of Pennsylvania, he was on the faculty of both public and independent schools before serving more than ten years as Head of School at Media Providence Friends School and then Principal and CEO of Philadelphia Montessori Charter School. Earl also serves on the Board of Trustees for Friends Council on Education and is a founding board member of The Friends Collaborative.

He especially enjoys working with nonprofit organizations to support their board development, finance and operations, and strategic planning efforts.

Earl is a graduate of Kenyon College (BA in Sociology and Anthropology) and the University of Pennsylvania (M.Ed. in Elementary Education),