Employee Voices: Dana Panzarino, Managing Director

Welcome to our VVA Employee Stories series, dedicated to the talented and inspiring individuals who help shape our company. From personal triumphs to professional milestones, we are proud to share the diverse experiences of our team members. Each story reflects the passion, resilience, and hard work that defines our organization, and we’re excited to showcase the people behind the success.

Managing Director, Dana Panzarino has been with the VVA team for over two decades, during which she has played a key role in shaping the internal culture, the firm’s reputation in the industry, and making VVA the successful company it is today.

When asked why she initially made the jump to the VVA team, Dana explained that “when I joined the firm 24 years ago, I was working for a GC. I had met many owner’s representatives and most of them didn’t impress me. VVA was the exception. The partners were present and involved – some things never change!”

Additionally, Dana is responsible for the growth of VVA’s healthcare project management experience. Its creation, she stated, was one of the most interesting challenges she’s dealt with at VVA. Dana explained that “starting VVA’s healthcare practice in 2006 came with a new vocabulary and set of challenges to learn and conquer. Building a team to support this sector, and recruiting, mentoring, and empowering new aspiring employees has proven to be the most interesting and satisfying.”

While being a Managing Director for the firm is a full-time commitment, and one she excels at, Dana’s life away from VVA is an active and fulfilling one. Outside of the office, Dana enjoys skiing, golf, tennis, and entertaining. “My motto has always been ‘work hard, play hard.’”

When asked to share one piece of advice she would offer to someone just starting out in their career, she noted: “Don’t be afraid to ask questions and take on more responsibility.” A great reminder that whether you’re new to the company, new to the workforce, or an industry veteran, we can all benefit from keeping this valuable piece of advice in mind!