Dana Peterson is the Chief Executive Officer of New Schools for New Orleans, a nonprofit dedicated to championing and advocating for high-quality education. With a career rooted in education leadership and policy, Dana has played a pivotal role in transforming schools and expanding opportunities for students and communities across Louisiana.

Previously, Dana served as Assistant State Superintendent at the Louisiana Department of Education and as CEO of the Baton Rouge Achievement Zone, where he led initiatives to enhance educational access and excellence in historically resilient communities. Prior to that, he was Deputy Superintendent of External Affairs for the Recovery School District, a state turnaround district focused on revitalizing chronically underperforming schools.

Beyond his executive leadership, Dana is a committed advocate for youth-focused programs and initiatives. He is the founding board chair of the New Orleans Career Center, which equips high school students with industry-based credentials and dual enrollment opportunities, preparing them for both college and career. He also founded and chairs alignED New Orleans, a grassroots advocacy group focused on parents and teachers and has been instrumental in the growth of Greenhouse E3, an organization dedicated to developing the next generation of education leaders nationwide. Dana currently serves on the New Orleans Recreation Development Commission and the University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors.

Dana holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics from the University of Houston and a Master of Business Administration from Tulane University. He is also a past fellow of the Pahara-Aspen Education Fellows Program and a member of the Aspen Institute Global Leadership Network.

Residing in New Orleans with his wife, Dana is an active member of St. Peter Claver Catholic Church and remains deeply committed to fostering educational opportunity and equity.