Dana
Hedgpeth

Dana Hedgpeth is a Pulitzer Prize-nominated journalist with 30 years of experience at The Baltimore Sun and The Washington Post. She has covered a wide range of topics, including  Indigenous communities, economic trends, transportation, local government, national security, and the automotive, hospitality, and commercial real estate industries -- plus quirky animal stories that make you go: wait, say what?!

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As the only Native American journalist in The Post’s 900-person newsroom, Dana offers a distinctive perspective, expertise, and  authority that sets her work apart.

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For 18 months, she served as a lead reporter on a 60-person investigative team that produced the most comprehensive account of the widespread sexual abuse of Native American children at federal boarding schools. The team's reporting also documented more than 3,100 deaths at those institutions -- more than three times the number identified in official U.S. government's findings.

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The multi-part series won six national awards and reached millions of readers, generating significant social media engagement and public response. It contributed to historic apologies from a leading Catholic bishops’ group and prompted a formal presidential apology.

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Dana is known as a trusted communicator and collaborative leader who builds lasting relationships grounded in credibility and respect. She has a sharp instinct for navigating complex subject matter -- uncovering key documents, synthesizing technical information, and translating it into clear, compelling, high-impact narratives.

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A fast, accurate, and detail-oriented writer and editor, Dana thrives in deadline-driven, high-pressure environments. She works seamlessly across teams to develop visuals and graphics that elevate storytelling, and she excels at reaching and engaging diverse audiences where they are.

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