About Me
My Backstory
Born and raised in Boston, MA, I've been captivated by the finance world since my early years. Since the beginning of my career, I've been committed to financial inclusion. I wanted to see the financial playing field leveled for those often overlooked by money center banks regardless of their wealth.
I wanted underrepresented groups to get "yes" to the prime lending opportunities they've earned that some get automatically. What I saw too often—and still see—is them getting stuck with subprime loans, especially in residential mortgages.
I began writing with wealth development in mind in the early 2000s at Black Enterprise Magazine and with an online platform called Women's Wall Street.
But, my fascination with online content—ranking high in search as an integral part of a communications strategy—began before that.
Launching a Digital Communications Startup in 1997
Embracing the digital world in high school, I started my digital communications consultancy in 1997, running my first viral content marketing campaign in 1998. My blog posts were shared worldwide, published in seven languages.
In early 1999, I became an inaugural member of Agence France Presse's short-lived independent journalist hub, Correspondent.com, to which just 1,500 freelance journalists got invited.
I then got opportunities that led to my becoming an award-winning journalist and a content developer for wealth industry brands, including private and commercial banks, and institutional asset and wealth managers.
While I've learned a great deal working with those firms,* I became increasingly interested in using my exceptional communications skills to help expand sustainable wealth and prosperity opportunities in underserved communities.
* I still offer financial and advanced wealth literacy content services to top industry firms in that sector.
Today's Focus: Mission-Driven Finance and Impact Lending
I'm now an strategic communications consultant, specializing in story-based content development and strategy for organizations dedicated to making a social impact in the finance sector.
That includes CDFI loan funds, sustainable banks, and other mission-driven financial institutions and wealth management firms.
As your collaborative thought partner, I support you in conveying the unique approaches you employ to be community leaders in impact lending. I craft strategic communications that resonate with your key stakeholders and integrate seamlessly into your content vision.
My work transcends mere writing; it's about shaping narratives that connect, captivate, and convert your core community members into advid supporters and partners.
My Unique Background Benefits You
Versatile and well-educated, I speak the unique language of finance and social impact. A graduate of Wellesley College with a bachelor's in political science minoring in economics, I earned a master's in corporate communications from Georgetown University, specializing in wealth industry change management communications.
I'm now pursuing a Doctor of Education (EdD) degree in organizational change and leadership at the University of Southern California. In that program, I'm focusing on change management in the U.S. banks and wealth industry firms that achieves genuinely and ethically sustainable prosperity for all stakeholders.
A lifelong learner and critical thinker, my expertise includes contemporary and classic economics, politics, law, social and cultural issues. I study U.S. history in the global context, and keep updated with the latest in business strategy and marketing, digital technology, and AI.
I integrate all these elements into my professional engagements.
My Clients' Trusted Resource
I aim to build trust by adding value to well-established social finance organizations and social impact wealth management firms that are authentically committed to sustainable global economic prosperity, financial inclusion, and community empowerment.
My collaborative approach to strategic communications ensures that your organization not only maintains a prominent presence but also has a significant impact within the financial sectors that matter most to you.
I'm dedicated to working with financial institutions and organizations that prioritize impact lending and responsible financial practices, aligning my expertise with your mission to serve otherwise underserved communities.
Let's Collaborate
If you're looking for a thought partner who understands the unique challenges and opportunities in the social finance sector, I can offer a blend of academic rigor, industry expertise, and targeted strategies.
Let's connect to explore how we can collaborate to achieve your strategic communications goals.
(c) 2023-2024. Dahna M. Chandler for The Financial Communicator, Inc., a division of Thrive Media Collaborative, Inc. All rights reserved. This page content may not be reproduced or reposted in whole or in part or used for AI applications without express written permission from the author.
[Image: Created by Dahna M. Chandler using DALL-E.]
