Dana Downing

Hi, I'm Dana. I direct international programs for the North American Renderers Association (NARA) and manage all international promotion, market development, and foreign market access activities. I oversee and implement market access programs for rendered products throughout the world and represent the U.S. rendering industry in international trade negotiations.

I also serve as the staff representative to the NARA International Market Development Committee and oversees NARA’s offices in Hong Kong, Mexico City, as well as several consultants worldwide.

Due to my extensive background working in government and industry trade associations, I am adept at interpreting complicated policy issues into actionable business intelligence. Prior to NARA, I was in charge of partnerships & policy for a software company that serves the food industry. I have also held several positions in the U.S. Congress and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, including running the Agricultural Trade Office at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow, and was a strategy and policy advisor for the meat and feed grain industries.

My record of public service began at the age of 17 when I enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve to help pay for college. I was an intelligence analyst and served for six years while juggling high school and university studies. I hold a B.A. in Political Science from Iowa State University, a certificate in Russian Studies, and am certified as a Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI) for Human Food.