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When I first connected with Dana Georgiou, it was one of those serendipitous LinkedIn moments. We found each other through content that resonated, exchanged a few DMs, set up a virtual coffee chat, and eventually met in real life at The Gathering.
From the very start, Dana made me feel welcome in every possible way. She pulled up a chair for me (literally and figuratively) at a table full of inspiring women — a gesture that has stuck with me deeply and shaped how I think about showing up for others.
I couldn’t imagine a better person to kick off Coffee Chats that Connect — a series where I sit down with incredible people I’ve met through LinkedIn (some I’ve had the joy of meeting in real life, and some I can’t wait to meet) to share stories about what fuels them and how they’re making a difference.
At 58, Dana proudly describes herself as a "work in progress" — a mindset she fully embraces. She laughs at the idea of being the same person at 58 as she was at 28: "If you are, man, are you missing some really cool stuff!"
Dana’s journey has been all about growth, evolution, and passing along those hard-earned lessons to younger women coming up behind her. Early in her career, there weren’t many seats at the table for women — and if there was one, it often felt like a ruthless game of musical chairs where "someone would rip that sucker right from underneath you." That was never how she wanted to play the game.
Instead of elbowing others out, Dana believed in making space. "I was more than happy not even to pull a chair, but to share one cheek if I needed to," she joked. Her mindset — lifting as you climb — has guided her entire career and the relationships she’s built along the way.
She believes there’s no need to compete when seats are limited. If she wins a seat, her immediate thought is: What am I doing to open up another one? Dana feels she’s done a good job of this throughout her career, but knows there’s always more work to do.
She shows up to every conversation wanting to give others something to think about or act on — but she’s equally committed to staying open enough to receive those gifts in return. Too often, she says, women miss the chance for that reciprocal exchange, focusing so much on giving that they forget to stay open to next-level ideas and inspiration.
For Dana, it’s never been about a one-sided mentor-mentee dynamic. It’s about connection, shared growth, and lifting each other up every step of the way. She pulled up a chair for me early in our friendship, and now I get to do the same for her — and for other women in my circle. As she beautifully reminds us, it’s about lifting as you climb and making sure we’re never the last ones through the door.
Dana lives by her personal mantra: Grit, Grind, and Grace — or as she calls them, her "3Gs" (and if you follow her on LinkedIn, you’ll definitely spot the hashtag #gritgrindgrace).
She even wore a T-shirt that day repping the motto, and her coffee mug said “grateful” — so on brand, I couldn’t help but smile.
In her 20s and even into her 30s, she was great at offering grace to others but struggled to extend it inward. Now, she sees grace as absolutely essential — not just to thrive professionally, but to truly live fully and joyfully.
Dana’s mornings start bright and early around 5:30 a.m., thanks to her black lab, Echo, who gently barks to let her know it’s time to get moving. Meanwhile, Echo’s sister, Charlie, usually prefers to stay cozy in bed a bit longer.
After letting them out, Dana often gets back into bed — not to fall back asleep, but to reflect, center herself, and give thanks. She spends this quiet time thanking God for another day, for her husband, and for their life together.
If the weather’s nice, she and her husband sit on the porch, coffee in hand, soaking up the peaceful start to the day without phones — just presence and gratitude.
When it comes to coffee, Dana likes hers “light and sweet” — she jokes that she enjoys "a little coffee with her cream and sugar." Meanwhile, I love mine dark (sometimes with a splash of maple syrup!), which Dana found both surprising and fun. I also shared that it takes me longer to drink it, giving me time to savor the moment and journal before diving into the day.
During our chat, Dana recommended I read The Miracle Morning — a book she loves (hers is so well-loved it’s been “through it!”) that focuses on six habits that can transform your life before 8 a.m. True to who she is, she even plans to pass her copy along to me — a small but meaningful example of how she supports and lifts up others in every way she can.
I’m here for it — and hoping it includes a little time carved out for my own “Ruby routine” in the morning, too.
One of the most powerful pieces of advice Dana ever received came from her dad: "You’re the only you there is — so be the best you that you can be."
Fun fact: Dana has a twin brother — but they’re fraternal, not identical. Even with a twin, she knows she’s truly the only "Dana" on this planet. That sense of responsibility to show up as her best self is something she carries into every part of her life.
It’s a simple but powerful reminder that being authentic — even on the days when it feels hard — is where our real strength lies. Dana shared that she aims to show up as her true self every day, personally and professionally, even when that version isn’t "perfect."
She also opened up about being an extroverted introvert. While she loves people and connection, she knows when she needs to step back, recharge, and create space for herself — a balance that has become essential.
We also talked about love languages, and Dana shared that her top two are words of affirmation and acts of service. When someone tells her she’s done a good job or shows genuine appreciation, it lights her up and motivates her to immediately jump into service for others.
She believes that if you show up authentically and put yourself out there for someone else, you’ll see a reward — and often, that reward is not for you but for the person you’re supporting. This mindset shapes how she builds relationships, mentors, and lifts others up.
We talked about the importance of having someone you can turn to — someone who provides a safe, judgment-free space. For Dana, that person is her friend Susan in Charlotte. From day one, Susan has been the type of friend who shows up fully: present, selfless, and always there when you need her.
Dana shared that the first thing that comes to mind when she thinks of Susan is that she wants to be that kind of friend — the kind of friend Susan is. She’s always strived to show up for others the way Susan has shown up for her.
Dana has instilled this same lesson in her daughters, always reminding them: "You have to have someone." It doesn’t matter who it is — a parent, a best friend, a mentor — as long as it’s someone you can call when you need to talk, share, or just be heard.
I shared that for me, that person is my Aunt Sandy. She’ll sit on the phone with me for hours, just letting me get everything off my chest. No judgment, no agenda — just unwavering support.
These kinds of relationships remind us that we’re not meant to navigate life alone. Even having one person who truly "gets" you can make all the difference.
(And let’s be honest… after hearing Dana talk about Susan, all I could think was: Man, I want to meet Susan!)
When asked who she’d most like to have a coffee chat with, Dana didn’t hesitate for a second: Robin Williams.
She admired not only his incredible talent and ability to bring joy to millions, but also felt deep compassion for the private struggles he carried behind the scenes.
Dana imagined that their coffee chat would be the perfect mix of fun and depth — filled with laughter, but also a safe space where they could share a trusted, authentic connection. She envisioned a moment where they could truly see and understand each other beyond the surface, past the jokes, and into the heart of who he really was.
It’s both heartbreaking and beautiful — a reflection of Dana’s gift for seeing people fully and creating space for real, meaningful connection.
Our conversations always flow so easily and genuinely — the kind of chat where time flies and you leave feeling inspired, grateful, and a little more lit up inside.
Dana embodies everything this series is about: authenticity, strength, vulnerability, and the power of community. She’s someone who leads with her heart, lives her values out loud, and shows up fully — whether she’s mentoring, building deep friendships, or simply sipping her light and sweet coffee on the porch with her husband.
She shines a light for everyone around her, making space and creating opportunities for others to grow. She has been that light for me, too — a mentor who has shown me what it truly means to pull up a chair for someone else and to lift as you climb.
As part of my own love language (gifting!), I gave Dana a bracelet after The Gathering. We both wear it now — each bracelet holding three pearls that represent her 3Gs: Grit, Grind, and Grace. It’s a daily reminder of the connection we share and the values she so beautifully lives by.
I truly couldn’t think of a more perfect person to launch Coffee Chats that Connect.
If you’re not already, go follow Dana on LinkedIn — she’s the real deal, and her light shines even brighter there.
