Dana Kresel

Dana Kresel is someone who truly understands the meaning of tikkun olam. As executive director of SketchPad, Dana is responsible for facilitating collaboration between Jewish nonprofit organizations and professionals. By fostering the interdisciplinary mixing of ideas and communities, Dana aims to provide a collaborative safety network for those doing good.

Outside of her work, Dana is also devoted to supporting anyone who needs aid. Whether she is cooking food for new parents, tutoring BMitzvah students, helping make a shiva minyan, inviting friends and family over for home-cooked meals, or even donating blood, Dana is always living her life with purposeful goodwill.

Dana is not only a leader in Chicago, but one who has lived across the United States. Dana grew up in Jacksonville, Florida; before moving to Chicago, she lived in New York City, where she took on an active lay leader role at Kehilat Hadar.

AGE:
35

PRONOUNS:
She, Her, Hers

PRIMARY GIG:
Executive Director, SketchPad (Chicago's Jewish coworking and collaborative community)

ON THE SIDE:
BMitzvah tutor

DESCRIBE YOURSELF IN 10 WORDS OR LESS:
Community/relationship builder, voracious podcast listener, whisk(e)y drinker, Southern expat.

SOMETHING MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW ABOUT ME:
I took Latin throughout high school and competed in Latin-based quiz bowl-style events. AMA about Vercingetorix, Greco/Roman mythology, or the early history of the Roman empire.

CELEBRITY DOPPELGANGER:
A couple friends say Mayim Bialik, but I don't really see it...

YOUR BEST PIECE OF ADVICE:
Treat every person with dignity and respect, and approach every scenario with curiosity and humility.

IF TIME AND MONEY WERE LIMITLESS, I WOULD:
Give tzedakah to a variety of causes, and also travel and explore more of the world.