See How She’s Empowering Memphis’s Young Leaders
As President and CEO of BRIDGES, Dana Wilson unites and inspires diverse youth to become confident leaders committed to community transformation. Get to know this week's FACE of Memphis!
Dana Wilson enjoyed a childhood only Memphis could provide. Growing up next to the zoo, the nightly sounds of the Siamang gibbons serenaded her to sleep. Rhodes College was her playground in the summer, and she spent many hours at the University of Memphis honing her competitive swimming skills.
After leaving to earn her undergraduate degree from the University of Colorado, Dana stumbled upon her true calling by joining an environmental education center for at-risk teens. This experience ignited her passion for education and adolescent development. Now, as the president and CEO of BRIDGES, Dana is dedicated to empowering young leaders. Get to know this week’s FACE of Memphis!
What were your next steps after deciding to make education and adolescent development your career focus?
After a few years of working with youth in Colorado, I moved to Guatemala for a few months to learn Spanish. I ended up staying for 18 months, teaching first and second grade in an innovative bilingual school. After Guatemala, I took a big leap and moved to Mexico City, where I lived and worked for five years.
In Mexico, I worked in a school that embraced international education through the International Baccalaureate Programme. It was a great experience where I learned about teaching, training teachers, curriculum development, and student assessment. While in Mexico City, I completed my Master’s in Educational Leadership and Administration at George Washington University.
How did your career path lead you to BRIDGES?
By 2008, I was ready to come back to Memphis. I felt like I had learned so much living in various places, but I have a heart for Memphis. I wanted to be close to family and do something that would make a difference in the city that raised me.
I was fascinated by BRIDGES. I loved the mission and was inspired by the amazing sustainable facility recently built in Uptown. When a coordinator position for PeaceJam came open, I was ready! I practically begged Jim Boyd to hire me. Fun fact: I was BRIDGES’ first virtual hire. My entire interview process was over Skype. I am so grateful the BRIDGES staff took a chance on me. I moved back to Memphis to work there in July 2008.
Tell us about BRIDGES. What is your mission, and why is it so important for Memphis young people?
The mission is to unite and inspire diverse youth to become confident and courageous leaders committed to community transformation. We are living in complicated times, and BRIDGES’ work is more important today than ever. For one thing, we bring youth together across their differences and help them build trust and understanding.
Participants develop leadership skills that benefit them throughout their lives. But we also know that youth have the capacity to lead, and we create authentic leadership opportunities for youth to grow and improve our community through their leadership. That is where the transformation really occurs.
How has BRIDGES expanded during your tenure?
In my time with BRIDGES, we have grown and changed quite a bit. Bridge Builders was an existing program for 11th- and 12th-grade students, and I was on the team that expanded the program to serve sixth through 12th grades. Through Bridge Builders, we can serve more than 5,000 youth annually.
Most recently, we have created a new initiative called the Youth Action Center, a hub for activating youth leadership through powerful intergenerational partnerships. It’s really about reimagining how we build and lead institutions that shape the lives of youth by including them in leadership at every level. For far too long, adults have been trying to solve the problems that youth are facing. We now see that authentically including youth in our efforts to improve outcomes is more effective, equitable, and fun. It changes everything.
What do you hope every student learns when participating in a BRIDGES program?
We believe in experiential learning, which means that each person can learn what they need to learn. For example, some of us need to learn to listen, and some of us need to learn to speak up to be better leaders. My hope is that every student can learn something that will serve them personally in their leadership journey. One common hope I have for every youth is to make at least one lifelong connection with a fellow Bridge Builder.
What is the biggest challenge you face as President and CEO?
The world has changed so much since 2020, and institutions are struggling to keep pace. At BRIDGES, we are probably more nimble than a lot of organizations, and we still struggle. A hybrid work environment can be challenging to maintain a genuine sense of cohesion and trust among a diverse staff.
We work hard to collaborate across departments, but I miss the camaraderie of being in the office together and a lot of the silliness and deep personal relationships that develop when we work alongside one another. Even so, flexibility and work-from-home are great benefits for employees and are here to stay. Leaders have to find new ways to build trust and cohesion. I’m not sure this is my biggest challenge, but it is one I imagine a lot of leaders can relate to.
What fulfills you most about your job?
Working alongside youth is the best part of my job. In late March, I participated in the Shelby County Youth Summit hosted by BRIDGES. Youth from across the City of Memphis and Shelby County shared concerns and creative solutions to some of the biggest issues we face as a community. Working directly with youth leaders is always inspiring, and I am always learning and growing.
What is your next big goal for BRIDGES?
We are just beginning to tackle a new strategic plan and vision for BRIDGES. We will be expanding programs and increasing entry points for Bridge Builders. We will create new opportunities in the Youth Action Center. Expect to see even more youth leaders making positive changes in Greater Memphis.
Where can we find you when you aren’t at work?
Gardening in my backyard, walking in the forest in Overton Park or Meeman Shelby, or kayaking in a swamp somewhere.
What is your best piece of advice?
Try to maintain a strong back and a soft heart.
Aside from faith, family, and friends, what are three things you can’t live without?
Good coffee, dog snuggles, and time in nature.
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Gaye Swan
As a professional writer of over 20 years, Gaye is an avid traveler and enjoys highlighting food, culture, and attractions around the South. While Gaye is passionate about life in Memphis, she grew up in Meridian and is still a Mississippi girl at heart.