Dana Mendes serves as the Deputy Director of the Office of Youth Engagement and Advancement in the City of Boston Human Services Cabinet. Dana helps to lead strategic planning efforts for OYEA as well as provides resources and support to other City of Boston departments and divisions. 

Dana is a charismatic leader focused on creative problem-solving. He is systems oriented with a background in grassroots organizing, program management, event planning/coordination, youth empowerment, housing, and clinical social work/counseling. Dana has an undying commitment to social justice and always aims to lead with love and a humanistic approach. Outside of his position here in the city, Dana is an adjunct professor at Kentucky State University, teaching Cultural Inclusion and Social Justice to Social Work undergraduates. 

Dana has a Bachelor’s Degree from Lehigh University in Bethlehem PA, where he double majored in Psychology and Religious Studies, and a Master’s in Clinical Social Work from Simmons University. Currently, Dana lives in South Boston but has lived in nearly every neighborhood in the Boston area.