About Dana

Hi, I'm Dana.

Dana with her husband, daughters and dog at a birthdayDana at a cookbook signing

Dana Pollack was at the top of her game as a commercial photo editor when her love of baking and passion to bring more fun into the world inspired her to risk it all and become a female entrepreneur.

Leaving the corporate world behind, Dana formally trained as a pastry chef at the Institute of Culinary Education (ICE). It was there she realized her fun, multifaceted personality could be embodied through baking. And like that, Dana's Bakery was born!

Over a decade and a half later, Dana is the creative force behind Dana's Bakery and a brand in her own right. Twice-published author, CEO, founder, wife and mother of two, Dana wears many hats and loves to use all those skills to authentically partner with brands she feels passionately about.

Dana lives in New York with her husband Adam, daughters Leni and Ella, and dog Rosie.

The journey

How it happened

  1. BFA in Photography, Parsons School of Design

    Then a career as a commercial photo editor in NYC.

  2. Trained pastry chef, Institute of Culinary Education

    Where French macarons, and a fun twist on the classics, first clicked.

  3. Launched Dana's Bakery

    From a small kitchen in Hawthorne, NJ, shipping nationwide. One of the first direct-to-consumer bakeries of its time.

  4. EY Entrepreneur of the Year

    Emerging Business category.

  5. Stevie Award for Women in Business + Inc. 5000

    Named one of America's fastest-growing private companies, and again in 2019.

  6. Dana's Bakery cookbook

    The first book: 100 decadent recipes, complete with a Times Square billboard.

  7. Bake It Gluten Free

    Cookbook #2, published by Union Square & Co.

Press

In the news

Featured by The New York Times, Forbes, Food Network, Inc., Food & Wine, New York Magazine, Good Morning America and more.

Serendipity magazine cover featuring Dana Pollack
Serendipity · Cover
People magazine recipe feature
People
Magazine feature on Dana's Cereal Bowl Cookies
Celeb Cookbook
NJBIZ article about Dana's Bakery
NJBIZ
Recipe spread from a magazine feature
Recipe features
Dana on an ABC morning show segment
ABC · Just Desserts segment · Watch
Dana baking on a TV segment
Live TV baking segment · Watch
Accolades

The trophy shelf

2017EY Entrepreneur of the Year, Emerging Business
2018Stevie Award for Women in Business
2018Inc. 5000 Fastest-Growing Private Companies
2019Inc. 5000 Fastest-Growing Private Companies
Podcasts, panels & stages

Mic check

Entreprenista 100 judge graphicEntreprenistaJudge & speaker · Listen to the podcast
The Bake Fest graphicThe Bake FestJudge & speaker · View
Dana on the Dare to Be Fearless podcastDare to Be FearlessPodcast guest · Listen
GoDaddy School of HustleGoDaddySchool of Hustle · Watch

Speaking events

Fast Company Innovation FestivalEY Entrepreneur of the Year92NYThe WingCheddar NewsHustle Like a MomWoodloch

Podcasts

Charity & giving back

(RED)Ronald McDonald House CharitiesEverytown for Gun SafetyThe BreastiesSave the ChildrenMagen David AdomFIDFThe Trevor ProjectBCRF