Introduction

With more than twenty years of experience in public policy and community affairs, Dena Ladd has been involved in issues that have both local and national impact. She has used her experience to advocate in Washington, D.C. and in Missouri for medical research, emerging industries and health care.  Ladd is the founder and principal of DSL Consulting Group which specializes in government and community relations.

In 2024, DSL Consulting formed a partnership with Holland & Knight, in D.C. to assist companies, research organizations and patient groups to advocate on important and complex healthcare issues to assist in the development and use of new kinds of medicines.

Background

In 2018, Ladd was a founding member of the Missouri Cannabis Trade Association (MOCANN) board, the cannabis trade association for the state of Missouri.  Currently, she is the Chairman of the Board and works with MOCANN members to create a legal, safe, thriving medical cannabis industry in Missouri by closely supporting stakeholders and state regulators through education and advocacy.

Ladd played an important role in the 2006 Stem Cell Research and Cures Initiative campaign securing medical and patient endorsements while building a grassroots effort around the state.  The ballot initiative passed and now all stem cell research on the federal level is legal in the state of Missouri. Ladd then continued the grassroots effort for medical research by becoming the Executive Director of Missouri Cures, from 2010 to 2022, whose mission is to promote and protect medical research in Missouri. Her job included cultivating and maintaining relationships with key policy makers, business leaders and opinion leaders in the medical research field on the state and national level. She also coordinated research forums around the state.  In addition, In 2016, Ladd oversaw a campaign bringing together patient advocacy groups, volunteers, and business leaders to defeat a ballot initiative that contained language that could have potentially harmed medical research in Missouri.

State & National Community Service/Recognition

Ladd developed a statewide initiative that promotes and brings together women in the science, entrepreneur, and research fields.  This initiative, WISER Women, was conducted in six cities in Missouri.

Ladd was a founding member of the Alliance for Regenerative Medicine (ARM) based in Washington D.C. and served on the ARM board for seven years. She advised ARM on starting their national PAC and establishing their 501c (3) nonprofit status.  Ladd sits on various research / health related boards throughout the state of Missouri such as the Washington University Medical Center Informatic Institute’s external advisory board, the University of Missouri Veterinary School’s advisory board and Bio STL’s advisory board.  Ladd has also been on numerous non-profit boards such as Pedal the Cause.  

 She has received two Gubernatorial appointments and was given the Women of Distinction award from the Missouri Athletic Club.

Prior Work Experience/Education

Her prior work experience includes working as a Regional Training Director for an international company, developing and implementing training programs for the Midwest region.  Ladd received her B.A. from Drury University and a Master’s in Public Administration/ Public Policy from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.