Dana
Hedgpeth

Dana Hedgpeth is a Pulitzer Prize-nominated journalist with 30 years of experience at The Washington Post.

 

She has covered a wide range of topics, including  Indigenous communities, economic trends, transportation, and local governments. Her subject expertise spans D.C.-area economic downturns and the country's Great Recession, plus the automotive, defense/national security, hospitality, and commercial real estate industries. And she's written dozens of popular quirky animal stories that make you go: wait, say what?!?!

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She has delivered clear, fast reporting as the Post's solo journalist on the Metro Desk's early morning shift, covering a region of 6 million people. She keeps a jump bag ready to go under her desk and has parachuted into crises from school shootings to earthquake rescues in Haiti with the U.S. Marines and Hurricane Katrina's chaos and impact, where she spent 14 days on the road (with no shower!).

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As the only Native American journalist in The Post’s 800-person newsroom, Dana offers a distinctive perspective, expertise, and news authority that sets her work apart.

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Among her biggest accomplishments: for 18 months, she helped lead a 60-person, cross-functional investigative team of forensic researchers, photographers, data reporters, editors, designers, and graphic artists who 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 an official U.S. government's findings.

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Their multi-part series won six national awards and reached millions of readers, generating significant social media engagement and public response. It had huge impact, contributing to historic apologies from a leading Catholic bishops’ group and prompting the first-ever, formal presidential apology.

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Dana is skilled in diplomacy and 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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