About Alana

Alana Petersen serves as President of Canary Consulting, established in 2012.  She has over 25 years of public policy, campaign, and political experience. Most recently, she served as Managing Director for an established D.C.-based federal relations practice. Before that, she completed two decades of service in leadership roles in the U.S. House and Senate, most recently with U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN).

Canary Consulting builds more effective teams for value-driven campaigns, PAC's, association, and nonprofits. Alana brings a wealth of experience to this work, including managing targeted U.S. Senate races, advising Presidential and Gubernatorial campaigns, and serving in key roles in numerous local, state, and federal level races with three ending in high-profile recounts. 

Alana believes in investing in people and community. She serves as Board Chair for Women Winning and Chair of the East Central Regional Arts Council, and treasurer for the Pine County Minnesota Farmers Union chapter. Recognition of her significant contributions to progressive politics include: MN DFL's Hubert Humphrey Award; MN Governor Tim Walz proclaiming June 14, 2019 as "Alana Petersen Day," and U.S. Senator Tina Smith giving a floor speech detailing her contributions to the state of Minnesota. She received her BA from the University of Minnesota, Morris, and is pursuing her masters from the University of Minnesota, Humphrey School of Public Affairs.  In spring of 2020, Petersen received the Gary M. DeCramer Public Leadership Award at the Humphrey School.