Director of Training and Education
Dr. Dana R. Hunter, a native of Louisiana, is a program development, research, and policy specialist with more than 18 years of experience advancing initiatives that support vulnerable children, youth, families, and historically marginalized communities. Her expertise includes program development and implementation, strategic planning, trauma-informed systems, research and evaluation, and quantitative and qualitative methodology.
Dr. Hunter has held leadership roles in academia with major universities and research institutions and is a published author in academic journals. A two-time gubernatorial appointee and as the inaugural Executive Director of the Louisiana Governor’s Office of Human Trafficking Prevention, she also led statewide human trafficking policy and program development and implementation efforts and helped secure millions of dollars in federal funding to support vulnerable populations.
Since 2024, Dana has continued her leadership in nonprofit and consulting spaces. Across roles, she has secured and managed more than $12 million in external funding through state and federal grant programs.
In her current role at Altus, she provides strategic planning and leadership for Justice U, one of Altus’ signature programs that offers blended learning solutions and educational resources to equip professionals, advocates, and communities to prevent and respond to human trafficking.
Dr. Hunter earned both her Ph.D. and Master of Social Work degrees from Louisiana State University and remains deeply committed to advancing research-driven solutions that strengthen child welfare systems, reduce poverty, improve behavioral health outcomes, and promote equitable opportunities for at-risk populations.