Dana Taylor

As the self-proclaimed Chaos Coordinator of her family of five, Dana juggles life with her husband, Shay, a construction manager often working out of town, their 14-year-old son Zayden, and 9-year-old twin daughters, Stella and Pyper.

With a master’s in clinical mental health counseling, Dana has dedicated her career to supporting at-risk youth and those battling substance abuse, a cause close to her heart after losing her uncle to overdose. Though no longer a practicing clinician due to chronic illness, she remains a passionate advocate for mental health, particularly in West Virginia, where high overdose and suicide rates among young people are alarming.

Dana and Shay founded ZSP Saving Grace Farm in 2021 to rescue animals and give back to their community. Their 30-acre farm is home to horses, dogs, ducks, chickens, and rescued turtles, and they provide eggs to families in need. She is also pursuing a life coach certification to offer equine-assisted coaching alongside traditional counseling.

As the National Ambassador for the Lupus Foundation of America, Dana facilitates support groups, organized West Virginia’s first Walk to End Lupus, and is launching the state’s first Virtual 6 Challenge. In May, she will attend the National Lupus Summit on Capitol Hill to advocate for increased research funding.

Dana’s dedication has earned her numerous awards, including the Silver Presidential Volunteer Service Award and the Gold Personal Improvement Visionary Award. A published author and frequent magazine feature, she is committed to volunteering and creating positive change.

Living with lupus has fueled her passion for education and advocacy. Though the disease presents daily challenges, Dana refuses to let it define her. Instead, she strives to empower women, foster self-confidence, and highlight the resilience found in overcoming adversity.