Dana Van Nest
Storyteller & Strategist 

Before opening my consulting practice in 2019, I spent several years as Associate Director of Marketing, Communications, and Public Relations at Henry Art Gallery where I was responsible for planning and executing the museum's marketing, communications, and public relations plans. Prior to that, I was the Marketing Director at the Collins Group, a fundraising consulting firm, where I provided strategic direction for the firm’s business development and marketing communications initiatives. 

In 2016, I received the Georgina MacDougall Davis Founder’s Award from the Association for Women in Communications, Seattle Professional Chapter. This award is given annually to a Seattle Chapter member who consistently exhibits the highest ethics, professional excellence, and personal commitment in everything she does.

My original co-written screenplay “Turn Right by the Yellow Dog” was produced by the Danish Film Institute and debuted at the San Jose Film Festival in 2003.

I hold a BA in English from the University of Washington and an MFA in Creative Writing from Emerson College. In early 2026, I passed the WSET 3 exam with merit. I regularly write for Northwest wine publications and serve as a judge for wine competitions.

I’m an avid reader who has been keeping a log of every book I’ve read since 1996. Check out my writing page for my annual book blog.

Interested in my wine coaching businness? Find me here: dvn.wine