Our Women of Impact profile features a local woman making a notable impact in our community. For this issue, we spoke with Dana Keller, a Philadelphia native who has called West Hartford home for nearly three decades. Before settling in Hartford, Dana built a career in television news in Washington, DC, working as an assignment editor and field producer for NBC and CBS affiliates. In her work with Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford, Dana has served as Women’s Philanthropy Chair, Chair of the Annual Campaign, Chair of the Board of Directors, and current Co-Chair of the Now and Forever endowment campaign. Her leadership has extended to the national stage as a member of the Jewish Federations of North America Women’s Philanthropy Board and as co-chair of the 2025 International Lion of Judah Conference in Atlanta. A Platinum Lion and longtime member of Beth El Temple in West Hartford, she has also served on the boards of The Watkinson School and the Aurora Foundation. She and her husband Jonathan have two daughters, Lilly and Sasha.

 

How did your parents shape the way you think about Jewish life and giving back?

My parents instilled Judaism in both our home and the synagogue—and they were very connected to the community. My dad was synagogue president and my mom did everything at the synagogue but be president. We weren’t religious per se, but we kept kosher and observed every holiday. They really instilled in me what it meant to be Jewish. 

 

They also gave me the model I’ve always used for philanthropy. My dad was very involved in B’nai Brith, an international Jewish nonprofit, and it seemed like my parents had some kind of meeting every night, either the synagogue or a Jewish camp for underprivileged children and others. 

 

When I moved from home in Philadelphia to Washington D.C., one of the first things I did was call the local Federation and give a nominal gift, something I could afford while starting my career at a TV station. But that connection to Federation continued when I came to West Hartford. My husband and I had just gotten married and I really knew nobody here. I called Federation and met with Jaime Seltzer [then Director of Financial Resource Development] and Rise Roth, who also worked at Federation at the time. Interestingly, Jaime is coming back to Federation to oversee the ‘Now and Forever’ endowment campaign, so it’s come full circle. 

 

How did giving of your time and resources become such a throughline in your life?

I feel that if we don’t help each other, who will? My husband and I do give to non-Jewish organizations, but most are Jewish related. We got very involved with Friendship Circle when Rabbi Shaya and Shayna Gopin were starting that program with just ten kids—and now it’s bigger than ever. We also support Voices of Hope, which is so important because if we don’t tell the story, it will go away. These are all ways that we can use our resources for the next Jewish generation.

 

You’ve supported many Jewish organizations over the years, but Federation has always been central. What drew you to their work, in particular?

There’s no organization that helps our community in the way that Federation does. They are the biggest donor to the JCC and Jewish Family Services, and they may not survive without that support. We give a tremendous amount to Solomon Schechter Day School and New England Jewish Academy. We give to our Jewish cemeteries, which wouldn’t be as well maintained without Federation’s support. And when families are looking for the grave of a loved one and to assist them through a very difficult time, Lisa Vaeth [Director of Jewish Cemeteries] is there for them.

 

Federation also supports our synagogues, Hillels, and JTConnect. There’s no other organization that looks at our community as a whole, applies research and metrics, and then makes decisions about where the money ought to go. That’s exceptional—and it’s why many of us are so driven to raise as much as we can. 

 

I know that some people feel that a donation to Federation is all about overhead—keeping the lights on, for example. And of course it is to some extent, but it also ensures that the JCC and day schools survive, our cemeteries are cared for, and our community is protected from antisemitism and security. I recently went to the funeral of Rabbi Philip Lazowski, a beloved rabbi in our town, and thankfully there was so much security there. With all of these needs in our community, it comes down to resources in the end and we have to do all we can to lend support. 

 

You started your professional life as a field producer for television news. How did that background help you in telling Federation’s story?

I’m an extremely curious person. That’s why I went into news; I need to know everything! And that quality is very helpful when I’m getting to know someone and find ways to connect them to what Federation does. I’m also not nervous in front of a crowd. At the International Lion of Judah Conference several years ago, I interviewed [journalist] Katie Couric, who I met in 1987 in D.C. I loved doing it—and it doesn’t make me nervous to do that sort of thing. 

 

I also love connecting with people. One of my best friends says that that’s my superpower. I don’t want people to feel left out, or to feel like Federation is a clique that they can’t be a part of. I met a couple at a Federation event several years ago who had just moved here for work and didn’t really know anyone. I introduced myself then and they’re friends to this day. Making those connections and building community brings me joy. It makes our tent even bigger, inviting in anyone who wants to join. 

 

You’ve served Federation at every level — as Women’s Philanthropy Chair and Board Chair here in Greater Hartford, and nationally on the board of Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA). What did that national vantage point show you about the work being done here at home?

People at JFNA often ask, “What’s in the water at Hartford?” because a lot of us, especially our women, are very involved nationally. Carolyn Gitlin was head of National Women’s Philanthropy; last year, I had the privilege of chairing the International Lion of Judah Conference with Danielle Wilde from Cleveland. I was very proud and honored to be asked to do that. The conference was a huge hit and brought me so much joy—to see how much money we raised and all of those like-minded women in one room who believed in what we were doing. 

 

Our community is just the little engine that could, small but mighty. Some communities are raising $90 million, and we may never be in that category, but we’ve raised more now than ever before. And most importantly, we’re very good at community building, which is what it all comes down to. 

 

Beyond the work itself, what has your service to Federation given you personally?

I’ve learned so much from the women who’ve served with me—former Associate Director of Development Debbie Glassman and her successor Laurie Mandell, as well as Carolyn Gitlin, Jill Dulitsky, Risa Filkoff, and so many more. I may have learned the most from [JFGH President & CEO] David Waren. He’s exceptional and we’re so lucky to have him guiding us.

 

Also, I’ve met my closest friends through Federation. I’m always meeting women, both at home and nationally, who believe in the cause and believe in Israel. And when you have all that in common with another person, you’re apt to be friends! It’s so wonderful to be with like-minded Jewish women from across the country who are doing the same work, believe in the same things, and have the same reasons to give. That makes for lasting friendships.