Making a Difference at Emerald Heights
May 23, 2016
Danna VanHorn loves the water, so it’s no surprise her favorite place to be is near the ocean nor why she calls Washington her home. What has drawn Danna to Emerald Heights, however, is her love for the residents.
As Chair of the Board of Directors at Emerald Heights, Danna endeavors to maintain the high quality of life within the community and the overall happiness of its residents.
“It’s all about the relationships,” said Danna. “It’s the Board’s function to support the residents, and the best way to do that is through clear communication, both ways. I’m at Emerald Heights on a weekly basis to attend resident association meetings, resident council meetings and to welcome new board members. I meet with the residents personally, but more importantly, I listen. I want to know what they’re passionate about.”
Danna got her start with Emerald Heights through her work as pastor at a nearby church. Many of her parishioners are residents, so it was a natural step for her to be part of the community.
Early in her career, Danna was an elementary school teacher but quickly moved into a church position, followed by seminary classes. She earned a Master of Divinity degree in Pasadena and served as chaplain at hospitals in Southern California. Originally from Pennsylvania, Danna has lived in Washington for 17 years to be near her family who also live in the Evergreen State.
Some of her favorite hobbies are reading, going to the theater (both movies and plays) and attending symphonies. Danna also loves to travel, having visited many countries, including France, Russia, Scotland and Wales. One of her favorite trips was a weeklong cooking tour in Italy where she experienced the country’s culture through culinary arts and learned new recipes along the way. Danna hopes to soon travel by train through Canada.
Though she has visited many countries in several continents and has stood on both the Eastern shores and the Western beaches of the U.S., for now she calls Washington her home and the residents of Emerald Heights her family.
