Dr. Dana Coleman

Dr. Dana Coleman is the fourth Executive Director for the Independent School Alliance. Dana brings a bold vision, passion for the mission, and commitment to access and excellence that has been the hallmark of the Independent School Alliance since its founding. 

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Dana joins us from the School of Education at Loyola Marymount University, where she inclusively led and directed clinical education efforts in the Department of Educational Leadership. Dana has worked directly with School of Education candidates, faculty, and staff to ensure that  leadership programs and fieldwork opportunities are designed with a focus on culturally-responsive pedagogy and inclusion. 

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A graduate of UCLA with a Master’s in Special Education from National University, Dana completed her Doctorate in Educational Leadership for Social Justice at LMU, including her dissertation, “The Schooling Experiences of African American Males Attending Predominately White Independent Schools.”  Dana’s career in education spans classroom teaching, school administration, and leadership development. 

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As a native Angeleno, Dana also brings to the role her experiences as an Independent School Alliance parent and board member to her distinguished service as a leader in our independent school community nationwide.