Entrepreneur, advertising professional joins faculty

Dana McMahan, a local entrepreneur and former advertising agency professional, joined the school's faculty July 1, as an assistant professor.

Prior to joining the school, McMahan developed and launched her own company, specializing in products for women and children. The Laughing Turtle, Inc. currently operates in North Carolina and Virginia locations and includes retail, wholesale, and internet ventures. She formed her company after more than a decade as an advertising and marketing creative.

McMahan worked as an art director at various advertising agencies, including New York’s McCann-Erickson. She served as Creative Director of Charron, Schwartz and Partners and consulted extensively with McKinney as a creative in new business development. Her clients have included L'Oreal, Tiffany & Company, GE Capital, WestPoint Stevens, ABC News and Jameson Irish Whiskey, among others. She previously taught advertising creative as an adjunct professor in the school.

She earned a B.F.A. from James Madison University.

She is involved in many community organizations including board memberships with SECU Family House at UNC Hospitals, and Kidzu Children's Museum. She serves as an advisory board member for UNC Center for Women's Health Research, and Chapel Hill Preservation Society.