2025 WOA Dana Stilley

Dr. Dana Stilley, a life-long resident of Rockland County has devoted her entire adulthood to advocating and advancing the lives of others through her public service efforts. Recognizing the significance of her gifts, she works untiringly to fulfill Luke 12:48, her favorite scripture, which states to whom much is given, much is required.

Dr. Stilley currently serves on the board of Venture Together, and Meals on Wheels of Rockland. She also serves as the President of the Rockland Negro Scholarship Fund, Inc., the Vice-Chair of the Board of Trustees of Rockland Community College. A Golden Life member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Dr. Stilley has been an active member of the Rockland County Alumnae Chapter for over 35 years, and the Nyack NAACP. She is the longest serving member of the Trustee Board at the St. Charles AME Zion Church.  

Following a successful career on Wall Street employed by Merrill Lynch, Dr. Stilley began work in higher education. Her administrative talents quickly earned her the position of Vice President of Student Services at Rockland Community College where she successfully implemented a variety of new programs and projects that highlighted student leadership and achievements.  

Currently, Dr. Stilley is a faculty member at Dominican University where she teaches mathematics, and the founder and CEO of The Stilley Agency, a higher education consulting firm that specializes in coaching doctoral students and editing dissertations. 

A proven leader and changemaker Dr. Stilley has vast experience in policy development, budget implementation, education administration, and leadership. These experiences forged the pathway for her to break cement ceilings within her community. She was the first African American elected to the South Orangetown Board of Education and in November, 2023, she was successful in her bid to be elected to the Rockland County Legislature, making her the very first African American Woman in the Rockland County Legislature.  On the Legislature she serves as the chair of the Government Operations Committee, Co-chair of the MWBE committee, and a member of the Public Safety and Budget and Finance committees. 

Dr. Stilley, attended South Orangetown schools from kindergarten through graduation from Tappan Zee High School. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Economics and Applied Mathematics from Brown University, a Master of Business Administration in Finance and Management Science from Columbia University and a Doctor of Philosophy in Community College Leadership from Old Dominion University. 

Dr. Stilley is the recipient of numerous honors and recognitions for her outstanding leadership, mentorship, scholarship, and commitment to equity. A published author, she continues to focus on sharing and enhancing the experiences of African American women in leadership. She is married to Derrick Stilley, and they have one son who is a senior at Penn State.