Beginning with a love of food and with Julia Child as an inspiration, Dannella has worked in the Culinary and Special Events Field since the age of 16. She has degrees in Culinary Arts and Food Service Management from Johnson and Wales University. Among other awards, she earned Gold Medals in both London and Germany for International Culinary Competitions.
Following college, she managed Restaurants, Catered and Coordinated Events and Weddings in Washington DC and Virginia, always bridging the gap between vision and execution. Dannella moved to GA to be closer to family in 2001. In 2009, when her husband lost his job in the Construction Field, Dannella created Oakwood Occasions to provide North Georgia with quality event solutions and to support her family. “Necessity may be the Mother of Invention, but Mothers are Inventive by Necessity” says Dannella. Over the years Oakwood Occasions has offered Custom Catering, High End Vending Options, OO Fudge shipped Nationally, Coffee Services with Organo Coffee, OO Coffee Shoppe, OO Café and Event Management and Wedding Coordination.
She’s been featured in several publications and won awards across North Georgia. Named 2 years in a row in Gwinnett Magazine’s People to Know and Best Event Planner in North Georgia 2016. Dannella also has a heart for serving others and her location has been an intern site for Project Success for 4 years serving Special Needs Young Adults and she was just selected a Power Of the Purse Community Hero for the launch of Project RePurse serving women in recovery and transitioning from domestic violence or other difficulties. Now an Author and sought after speaker for Women’s Empowerment and Small Business Ownership and Event Solutions, Dannella is truly a creative entrepreneur that believes in Multiple Streams of Income and always finding the Win-Win-Win combination. Through Creative Partnerships with her Incredible Network as well as High Level of Experience, Dannella brings everything to the table needed to make your event a success!