Mariah Hanson

Founder and creator of the legendary “Dinah,” aka The Dinah Fest

More than just an event producer extraordinaire, Hanson is first and foremost an avant-garde business entrepreneur who, in the span of three decades, has created an unsurpassed cultural and social phenomenon. Hanson has built an impressive empire, from a small, one-night event at The Palm Springs Museum with 1,500 participants to booking lavish locations at deluxe hotels over the course of five days and nights, with some 10,000-plus attendees and major corporate sponsors under her belt. The Dinah has become a rite of passage for queer women and allies, where during five event-filled days of music and community, women from all walks of life experience profound connection in a diverse and multi-cultural setting. The Dinah inspires all women to boldly live out loud while openly celebrating both our differences and commonalities, alike.

Hanson served two terms on the Board of Equality California, during the pivotal time when the board had to decide whether or not to pursue the Gay Marriage fight and no longer wait until the time “was right.” Always a pioneer, she voted in favor of moving forward, and helped the board achieve history in successfully championing the right to marry.

Hanson served on the Aspen Gay and Lesbian Ski Week Board of Directors, and held the dual role of Development Director, raising critical funds to help produce the international event and at the same time to bridge the relationship between corporate donors and the LGBT community.

Hanson also served on the Board of Directors of The San Francisco Community Center, joining to create the vision and raise the money needed to help the community center dream become reality. The SF Community Center now serves as a model for community centers around the country. Hanson has also served on the Cable Car Awards Board, an organization whose mission was to recognize and celebrate events in The San Francisco LGBT community and in the process helped raise the visibility of LGBT events and contributions to San Francisco culture.

Mariah continues to utilize The world renowned Dinah as a powerful platform to mobilize the LGBTQIA community around humanitarian projects and social issues