DNA Expands Diversity Scholarship

DNA Seattle is welcoming University of Washington Senior Amena Sadfar to the agency as an intern in its Brand Strategy group as DNA expands its successful scholarship and internship program with University of Washington into the full school year.

DNA launched its Diversity Scholarship program this summer in partnership with the University of Washington with the goal of introducing advertising as a career path to a broader range of students. The agency’s first scholarship/intern was Israel Sixto-Sanchez, who worked at the agency as an Art Direction intern in its creative department this summer. Students selected for the internship receive a one-time $3000 financial scholarship from DNA as well as a paid three-month internship program.

“Art direction seemed like a far-off career dream,” said Israel Sixto-Sanchez, who is a first-generation college student who did not begin a formal education until he was 13. “DNA really opened my eyes to the opportunity of working in advertising. And it was a great place to learn all facets of the creative process. Everyday was so uniquely interesting. I hope that when I graduate I can work full time at DNA.”

“Our need for diverse talent isn’t just a summer thing,” explained Alan Brown, CEO of DNA. “Our industry has a huge need for talent that represents not just diversity in background but also in thinking. We participate in a wide number of industry initiatives designed to build more diverse workforces but felt we needed to take things into our own hands and create a program here in Seattle that would have impact on our agency and community.”

Brown explained that DNA’s program is designed to introduce students with a wide array of interests to the growing field of advertising and to give them the experience to see advertising as a career path. 

As part of Israel Sixto-Sanchez’s internship this summer he attended a commercial shoot for an agency client and produced work for another client. He was able to participate in and see all facets of what art directors do in ideating, developing and producing advertising and marketing materials for clients.

Amena Sadfar begins at DNA this week and will work in its Brand Strategy group where she will learn how the agency develops the ideas and looks at different marketing and media channels to tell its clients stories.  

“Our goal is to expand this program to other schools in the area with the hopes of attracting students from diverse backgrounds that include African American, Hispanic, Asian, Native American, Multi-Racial, and LGBTQ candidates,” explained Charlene Short, Director of Talent + Culture at DNA. “The advertising industry has not done a great job in establishing itself as a career choice for students coming from diverse backgrounds. This program is one way we can help expand interest in our business and bring in new kinds of talent.”

More information on the DNA Scholarship and Internship program can be found here: