Mariana Dannelley

With a passion for strategic planning and communications and a professional career spanning 15 years in business communications and over 15 years of nonprofit management, Mariana is ideally positioned to nurture the development of nonprofit and business sector leaders through her consulting business and the UCLA Extension School’s certificate programs. 

Mariana previously served as the executive director for a number of nonprofits after working as a public information officer for the State of California Governor's Office of Emergency Services.  She holds a B.A. in Communications with an emphasis in Public Relations from the University of Miami, a certificate in Marketing and Public Relations from UC Davis Extension, a J.D. from St. Mary’s University School of Law, and certification as an Economic Development Finance Professional.

Before joining the faculty of UCLA Extension to author Strategic Communications for Nonprofit Organizations, Mariana taught Managerial Communications for the St. Edward’s University School of Management and Business’ MBA program. In addition to teaching online classes in communications, ethics and social responsibility, Mariana's experience includes teaching a variety of continuing education workshops for working professionals.

A dynamic motivational speaker, Mariana is fully bilingual in English and Spanish and a member of the Association for Talent Development (formerly ASTD).