- Massachusetts Department of Mental Health
Meet Daniela Harrigan (She, Her, Hers)
Formerly Daniela Trammell
Director of Community Engagement | DMH
A Massachusetts native, Daniela Harrigan is an accomplished professional with over 20 years’ experience leading in government, non-profit, and academic fields. Currently, she is the director of the newly created Office of Community Engagement at the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health (DMH). Her passion for community exchanges and bridging people, especially those from underserved and under-represented populations, to resources will assist her in launching this new office. She previously functioned as Communications Director for DMH and the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission (MRC).
While working for the state, she served as an DMH LGBTQI+ facilitator and Race, Equity, and Inclusion (REI) committee member. In 2011, she received the MRC Commissioner’s Award for Outstanding Performance and the MA Governor’s Citation for Outstanding Performance in 2013 for her role in organizing and managing the MRC Marketing Strategy Team. Prior to her tenure with the Commonwealth, Daniela worked at the Department of Urban Studies and Planning at MIT where she focused on minority student recruitment and retention. She also worked as the assistant director of volunteer services at Rosie’s Place, a shelter for women experiencing homelessness in Boston.
Daniela received a human services leadership and management certificate from Suffolk University in 2018 and a professional communications certificate from Emerson College in 2013. She obtained her Masters of Criminal Justice with honors from Suffolk University in 2005, and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Legal Studies and Criminal Justice certificate from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.
Daniela is a proud Cape Verdean and African-American woman; a dedicated wife, mother and daughter; and a novice genealogist. She balances out her professional time by spending time with her recently blended family – legally through marriage and culturally (adding Puerto Rican and Dominican heritages into the mix). And whether its devoting time diving deep into culture, cooking for family and friends, being outdoors, traveling, or through discipleship she is always on the move -- but one may keep up with her on social media.
“Being heard is an important practice. For many young adults finding their voice or lifting it can be challenging. The years in between childhood and adulthood can be tough and finding the right fit for services or activities can be even tougher. As a woman of color and parent of four teens, I feel understood and respected when someone sees me and affirms my experiences. I support youth, young adults, and their families as I believe they should also be ‘active’ partners in their wellness planning." -Daniela Harrigan
