Dana Thompson

Dana has nearly 20 years of experience in federal and state government, as well as federal and state government relations, with strong connections on Capitol Hill and in governors’ offices, state agencies, and advocacy organizations on both sides of the aisle. On the Hill, Dana served as chief of staff and legislative director to members of the House of Representatives, including House Financial Services Committee Ranking Member Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA).

Dana was the first African American to serve as director of a U.S. governor’s Washington, DC office. Under former Governor Martin O’Malley (D-MD), he acted as the Governor’s key liaison to the National Governors Association and the Democratic Governors Association and worked closely with Congressional leadership and the Maryland Congressional delegation. He maintains personal relationships with governors, state attorneys general, and state legislative leaders across the country.

Dana has repeatedly been recognized as one of DC’s “Top Lobbyists” by The Hill. He is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Corporate Advisory Council, and the Montgomery County, Maryland African American Advisory Group, and a past member of the Smithsonian Institution’s Anacostia Community Museum Advisory Board. He received a BA from Yale University in German Studies and a JD from Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law.

Dana is a partner with SUYANA Investments, a minority-owned investment group whose first investment, MITA, earned a MICHELIN star in 2024. He lives in Maryland with his wife, two children, and Old English Bulldog Tandy.