Dayana Mendoza
Born and raised in Caracas, Venezuela, Dayana Mendoza started her career as an international model at the age of 15. She spent the next 6 years working in New York, Barcelona, Madrid, Miami, Athens, Milan, Paris, Munich and London. In 2007 she won the title of Miss Venezuela and the right to compete for the next Miss Universe title. On July 13, 2008, in front of one billion viewers worldwide, Dayana was crowned Miss Universe 2008 in Nha Trang, Vietnam. As Miss Universe, she traveled the world to destinations across Asia, Europe, Central and South America to champion HIV/AIDS prevention, particularly among adolescents.
After her work as Miss Universe, Dayana moved to New York City to study acting at The New York Film Academy. There she continued her career as a model, and expanded her work including TV. She became the host of "Relaxed", an E! Entertainment Latin America Network, program profiling the top talents and personalities in the Latin music world.
Dayana’s natural desire to create positive impact for the ones in need, encouraged her to continue her role as a worldwide representative of HIV/AIDS awareness by working as an ambassador for numerous non-profit organizations in the US and internationally. She became an expert communicator across multiple regions and cultures; Europe, Asia, North, Central & South America. As a result, she was chosen among distinctive personalities as a cast member on the popular reality-based charity competition TV show "The Celebrity Apprentice" where she successfully raised awareness and tens of thousands of dollars for The Latino Commission on AIDS and other charities profiled on the show. Dayana was one of the final 6 celebrities out of an original field of 18 who started season 5. Her participation created new expectations and pride within the Latin community, since Dayana lasted longer than any other Latin woman who has participated in the history of the show.
Aside from her pursuits in the worlds of entertainment, non-profit, and formal education; holing a BA in Communications and a Minor in International Business from Montclair State University, Dayana is constantly cultivating her passion for the creative; she also studied Filmmaking at the New York Film academy in New York City, allowing her to write, produce, direct and edit a short film, created to raise awareness about physical, emotional and psychological abuse. The short Film “Honey” was selected as Semi-Finalist by the Hollywood International Moving Pictures Film Festival.
Dayana continues to pursue her passion for the non-profit field, this time, working closely, and as the representative for Aid For AIDS International and its sister Organization Aid For Life International, both headquartered in New York City and with offices in Europe, and Latin America. She also found an opportunity to merge fashion and non-profit, encouraging consumers to be part of a positive impact by making meaningful shopping; Dayana launched an online retail site, where people can donate to the charity of their choice with each purchase made through DayanaMendoza.com and with no added costs for the consumer. Dayana Mendoza volunteers as translator subtitles editor for The Life Christian Church in West Orange, New Jersey.