Dana McCrory was named the John Kirkpatrick Executive Director of Oklahoma City Ballet in July 2025.

Prior to joining Oklahoma City Ballet, Dana was the Executive Director of University Initiatives for the University of Oklahoma Foundation. Dana hired and mentored a cohort of team members to work in a fast-paced environment raising funds for colleges, divisions, units, and special projects on campus. The University Initiatives team experience provided the on-ramp to university fundraising.

Previous to her mentoring move to the OU Foundation, Dana was President & CEO of the Oklahoma Humane Society. As the leader of Oklahoma’s largest non-profit rescue organization for over seven years, Dana dedicated her time to increasing the reach and effectiveness of the programs of OK Humane and to leading the organization from a central organization into a statewide organization.

Prior to joining OK Humane, Dana spent over a year with the Integris Medical Foundation where she provided senior leadership and management for philanthropic programs. Dana also served as the Executive Director for the Oklahoma Zoological Society where she led the Society from 2008-2016. Her leadership initiated and completed the Society’s first capital campaign in 13 years, resulting in the state-of-the-art Joan Kirkpatrick Animal Hospital. The Zoo’s membership program increased by over 60% in her tenure and the Oklahoma Zoological Society experienced unprecedented growth. Her previous experience also includes 10 years with the Oklahoma State University Foundation where she served as Vice-President for Development.

Dana and her husband Dr. Mac McCrory live in Oklahoma City with their menagerie of rescue animals.

The John Kirkpatrick Executive Directorship is an endowed position, with the endowment gift coming from the Kirkpatrick Family Fund. The position was named for John E. Kirkpatrick, who was an integral part of the founding of Oklahoma City Ballet with Yvonne Chouteau and Miguel Terekhov.