Dana Moreau, DuPage County Forest Preserve Commissioner Candidate, District 2
About Dana (me)
About Me.
"When our kids were younger, the preserves were where we went when they had too much energy or too many questions. Now they’re grown, but I still think about what these places will look like when they bring their own families back."
Why I’m Running
DuPage County has been my home for more than 25 years. My husband and I raised our two sons here. We walk our dogs in the preserves. We’ve watched these open spaces shape how our kids grew up and how our communities connect.
For me, the forest preserves aren’t an abstract idea. They’re part of everyday life. They’re where people go to clear their heads, move their bodies and feel grounded. That’s why this role matters so much to me.
Protecting What Belongs to All of Us
In the past, many of us assumed that public land was simply protected. Permanently. Recent events have shown that isn’t always the case, especially at the federal level. That puts more responsibility on local government to get this right.
Once land is sold, developed, carved up, or damaged by newer types of environmental threats, it doesn’t come back. The job of the Forest Preserve District is to think long-term and to protect these places even when there’s pressure to do otherwise. That kind of stewardship requires patience and a willingness to say no when necessary.
This Isn’t a Partisan Job (Stay With Me on This)
I don’t see the role of Forest Preserve Commissioner as a political one. It’s a practical one.
Yes, the election runs through a party process. But the day-to-day work is about caring for land, water and wildlife, supporting the people who maintain our preserves. And it's about making decisions that will hold up years from now. Those decisions should be guided by science, transparency, common sense (not ideology).
What I Bring to the Table
I’ve spent time in local government as a Village Trustee, working on budgets, planning, and decisions that affect real people. I’ve also chaired an Environmental Concerns Committee, where the focus was on turning good intentions into workable solutions.
Outside of government, my career has taken me into very different kinds of organizations. I’ve worked with large, complex companies managing over $16 billion in deposits where planning and scale matter. I’ve also worked with MUCH smaller, mission-driven organizations where resources are limited and every decision and dollar counts.
That mix has shaped how I think. I have 360-degree perspective. I’m comfortable asking hard questions. I understand how systems break down. And I don’t assume that “the way it’s always been done” is the best way forward because, it usually isn't.
I invite you to connect with me on Linkedin.com/in/danamoreau (fair warning, I post about diabetes technology and AI a lot).
Experience Beyond Government
Some candidates spend their entire careers inside government. I respect that path, but mine has been different. My "extra-curricular" professional work has included projects like the documentary Revenge of the Electric Car, which gave me a firsthand look at how environmental goals, economic realities, and public policy intersect. I’ve also invested in local businesses, so I understand how public decisions ripple through a community in very real ways.
That outside perspective matters. It brings fresh eyes, practical discipline, and a focus on outcomes rather than process.
Health, Access, and Keeping Nature Free
Forest preserves play a quiet but powerful role in public health. They’re one of the few places left where people can walk, breathe, and reset without needing to spend money or sign up for something.
That’s important. Especially now.
As more of daily life becomes pay-to-use, I believe we need to be intentional about keeping these spaces open and accessible. No creeping fees. No barriers that slowly push people out. The preserves should be there for families, seniors, kids, and people who just need a place to be outside. In other words, everybody.
Looking Ahead
I care deeply about protecting what we already have. About keeping public land public. About making thoughtful decisions that don’t box future generations into bad choices.
This isn’t about left or right. It’s about responsibility. And it’s about making sure the places that matter to so many of us are still here, just as open and just as healthy, years from now. I hope you agree.
Education:
BA, University of Wisconsin, Madison
MS, Northwestern University
Certification: Intro Sommelier
Sample of Community Leadership:
Trustee, Village of Lombard
Chair, Environmental Concerns
Chair, Community & Economic Development
Election Judge
Chair, National Plug-In Day
Working Group, Lombard Downtown Revitalization Plan
PTA President and legistative Aid
Board Member, Willowbrook Wildlife
Asst. Soccer Coach
Award:
John Egan Distinguished Service Award (Pillar of Citizenship and the William J Mueller Award)
Professional Experience Summary:
Dana Moreau is an experienced executive and former elected Village Trustee with over 20 years of leadership across nonprofit, technology, financial services and healthcare organizations. Her decision to focus her current work in diabetes training and medical technology was driven by her son’s diagnosis and a commitment to ensuring families have access to knowledgeable healthcare providers so they can get the very best care.
Her work has focused on fiscal oversight, public accountability and long-term stewardship of complex programs and assets. She also co-produced the award-winning documentary Revenge of the Electric Car, reflecting a long-standing commitment to environmental innovation and sustainability. Dana brings both public-sector experience and private-sector discipline to serving DuPage County residents.
