Deana Waintraub Stafford serves as Executive Vice President at FirstGen Forward, providing strategic leadership for operations, finance, programs and services, publications, marketing and communications, and organizational impact. In her role, she ensures the effective delivery, alignment, and growth of the organization’s core functions and mission-driven initiatives.

Previously, Deana led field development and engagement, advancing skill building, collaborative networks, curriculum and learning design, and scholarly knowledge and publications. Her leadership strengthened the national support system for first-generation students, graduates, and professionals by creating and scaling high-quality development opportunities across higher education institutions, nonprofit organizations, corporations, and government entities. Her earlier portfolio also included strategic marketing and communications, the organization’s digital presence, audience growth strategies, and two flagship national initiatives: First-gen Forward, the nation’s first recognition program, and the National First-Generation College Celebration in partnership with the Council for Opportunity in Education.

Before joining FirstGen Forward, Deana supported the University of Cincinnati’s acclaimed Gen-1 Program, a living-learning community for first-generation, low-income students. She developed and implemented an evidence-based curriculum, advised students, and led communication strategies to strengthen persistence, retention, and student outcomes. Prior to her work in Academic and Student Affairs, Deana served for six years as an assistant women’s soccer coach, where she introduced a holistic development model to support student-athlete success and career readiness.

A former student-athlete and varsity letter winner, Deana holds a B.S. in Education from the University of Dayton and an M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction from Slippery Rock University.