A successful entrepreneur, activist, animal rescue advocate, philanthropist, and established business leader, Dana Spain is considered to be Philadelphia royalty with her vast wealth of knowledge, experience, and leadership. In addition to her position as Managing Partner of McSpain Properties, Spain has developed a prestige of community awareness in Philadelphia with her role as Founder of the nonprofit organization Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), one of the city’s most effective and outspoken advocates for animal rescue and the spaying and neutering of pets.
She also provides workplace training at Metropolitan Career Center; sits on the boards of the Philadelphia Police Foundation and Center City District’s Retail Marketing Alliance; and is a member of the Sunday Breakfast Club. Spain has been honored as one of the “50 Best Businesswomen in Pennsylvania” by Governor Rendell, “40 Under 40” by The Philadelphia Business Journal, and “C-Level Visionary” by Folio. She currently resides in South Philadelphia with her fiancé, their four cats and one foster who is looking for her “furr-ever” home. We were thrilled for the opportunity to hear more about this ambitious woman and her work!
Philly PR Girl: What are three facts people might not know about you?
Dana Spain: I do not eat tomatoes, I have ridden horses in 10 countries and one camel and one elephant, and I was a cheerleader for 6 years (junior high and high school) and can still do full splits.
Philly PR Girl: Why did you originally decide to embark on an exploratory campaign for mayor in 2015? Do you see yourself potentially working in government in the future?
Dana Spain: My friends, peers, co-workers et al were tired of complaining about the lack of business acumen in city government that has led to a myriad of problems in Philadelphia. We were founded to be a world-class city but yet our elected officials do not share that vision. Eventually, people started suggesting that I run for mayor to make the tough decisions necessary to affect positive change for the good of all Philadelphians.
I would work for the right mayor; one who I respect for his/her policy platform and vision for the city. There are several bright, effective leaders running for City Council as well. I would consider being part of their team to truly make a difference.
Philly PR Girl: You have an incredible and diverse resume of work experience, throughout a number of fields. Can you share some words of advice for our female readers who themselves are entrepreneurs and business leaders?
Dana Spain: Entrepreneurship is not for everyone: you must love the thrill of the hunt; enjoy the fruits of the conquest; and never tire of having the bottom line begin and end with you. I understood early in my life that I was meant to be a leader because following was just not a palatable option. A leader needs to be prepared to be followed. That requires a sense of responsibility for your followers (volunteers, employees, peers etc); to put them first, take care of their needs, while always keeping an eye on the prize, whatever that goal may be. And, always, go with your gut and passion when entering into any business deal.
Philly PR Girl: What motivated you to start PAWS? To join the board of the Philadelphia Police Foundation?
Dana Spain: I had been recently elected president of Animal Control to help turn around the “house of horrors” that the agency had become. I soon realized that without funding for lifesaving programs, we could not turn the kill rate into a save rate. As I began raising funds, the city threatened to cut our budget, so I formed a restricted fund called PAWS to allow us to raise money that would only be earmarked for lifesaving. When our Animal Control contract ran out, PAWS was already established as a brand in the rescue community so we turned it into its own 501c3 to continue and expand our work. Six years and two more locations later, PAWS is now the city’s largest rescue partner to Animal Control, the largest no-kill shelter, and the largest provider of low-cost spay/neuter and vaccination services in Philadelphia.
I was appointed to the Philadelphia Police Foundation board by Commissioner Ramsey. He requested a meeting with me after I showed support for the force by helping a fallen officer’s family. In the meeting he expressed concern about the foundation and its lack of direction/support for the force’s needs. I was inspired to serve those who serve and protect us every day, so I joined the board. During my membership, I created their branding, marketing and promotional materials and was a key player in running the fundraising campaign to bring back the Mounted Police Unit.
Philly PR Girl: What is your favorite Philadelphia neighborhood and why? Through your work as managing partner of McSpain Properties, are there any particular areas which you are excited to see develop and transform over the next few years?
Dana Spain: I have a love for many neighborhoods in Philadelphia, so it is tough to narrow them down to just one. I live in Bella Vista and love its true neighborly feel; people are social, kids play in the street, there are a ton of cozy and delicious restaurants. I think Passyunk Square is awesome. The new restaurant row offers diverse food and drink options but still has a true South Philly warmth to it.
As for neighborhoods that McSpain is targeting for development, we think that Brewerytown is the next hot place to live, work, and play. We are opening the Fairmount @ Brewerytown in July and are excited about the prospect of more revitalization in that area. Our other two areas of concentration are Port Richmond (the next Fishtown) and Grays Ferry (the next Point Breeze). We see the potential to restore residential depth as well as introduce retail and hospitality in those areas.
Philly PR Girl: What do you consider to be your greatest accomplishment, either in business or personally?
Dana Spain: That’s a tough question. Striking a balance between being a Type A++ business leader, animal rescue and veterans advocate, and a loving daughter/sister/aunt/fiancée (and mom to my furry babies), is the greatest accomplishment for me. Oh, and making my parents proud.
Thanks for sharing, Dana! Who are your entrepreneurial idols from Philadelphia and beyond? Let us know in the comments!
