Dania joined the ESD 112 Communications team as a Communications Manager in October 2025. We spoke with Dania about her journey into communications, her audience-centric approach, what drew her to education, and how she stays grounded outside of work.
Dania joined the ESD 112 Communications team as a Communications Manager in October 2025. We spoke with Dania about her journey into communications, her audience-centric approach, what drew her to education, and how she stays grounded outside of work.
Dania joined the ESD 112 Communications team as a Communications Manager in October 2025. We spoke with Dania about her journey into communications, her audience-centric approach, what drew her to education, and how she stays grounded outside of work.
What were the fun twists and turns of your professional journey? I first got into programming in high school, where I really enjoyed my coding classes. I quickly picked up HTML and CSS and started building websites for friends and family. That experience led to my...
You are currently the Executive Director of Communications and Operations, but I’ve heard you were a “newspaper man” before that. How did your career unfold? What made you move from journalism and media to communications? My career began with a bachelor’s degree in...
Have you always wanted to work in a creative career? Since high school, I knew I wanted to work in a marketing/communications career. It wasn't until college that I realized it was specifically graphic design that I wanted to focus on. Once I learned the freedom that...
What made you pursue a career in communications and design? I have always loved creative hobbies like photography, drawing, and designing/making things. I also have a (frustratingly) "particular" brain that loves rules, numbers, and procedures, which made an entirely...
Kirsten's first day at kindergarten at YSDHow long have you worked for Yakima School District? I began my journey with YSD in May 2015 and am now in my 10th school year. How did you get started with Communications? My first career was as the office manager for a real...
Yolanda enjoys trying new restaurants around the area, especially if they have a view!How did you get started with Communications? I started at ESD 112 in 2021 working in the Early Care & Education department. It was there that I explored my interest in...
Fred catching waves in Hawaii in 1985.Were you always on a path to design? Or were there some twists and turns? No, I started out as a computer technician in the Navy. After making more money painting surfboards part-time than I did working full-time in the Navy, I...
Have you always wanted to work in a creative career? Yes, I have. I love the arts and everything that branches out from it. I've been in band, acted onstage, and most importantly I love illustrating and drawing. Drawing is my real passion. It is as natural to me as...
Have you always wanted to work in communications? For as long as I can remember, my goal has been to be a writer. When I was in middle school, my dad set up one of those old, clunky computers in my bedroom, and the only thing on it was Microsoft Word. But that's all I...