Inspiring Conversations with Nani Montanez of DONDADA COLLECTIVE

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nani Montanez.

Hi Nani, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My journey started with a love for performing and creating. Growing up in Milwaukee, I was always drawn to modeling, acting, dancing, and fashion. I began modeling as a teenager through TFP photography, eventually receiving runway coaching and gaining experience in music videos, dance performances, commercial work, and runway.

After moving to Ohio, I wanted to create the kind of creative community I wished I had growing up, one where people could network, collaborate, learn from one another, and have opportunities regardless of their experience level. That vision became Dondada Collective, an event coordination and talent management collective that has grown into a community of hundreds of creatives across the Dayton area and beyond.

Through Dondada, I’ve expanded into talent coordination, event production, talent casting, runway coaching, creative direction, workshops, promotional shoots, commercials, and producing my own fashion shows and creative events. I’ve had the opportunity to coach for the Indigenous 4 Winds Fashion Show, work with TV star, America’s Next Top Model finalist and entrepreneur Victoria Henley, first as a model and now as a member of her judging panel, participated in NYFW, being a part of brand campaigns and created commercials, while also collaborating with countless local artists, businesses, and creatives.

What I’m most proud of is that Dondada has grown beyond simply creating opportunities. It’s become a way to connect people and give local talent visibility. We provide portfolio building experiences and exposure that can help creatives work toward paid opportunities, while also helping local businesses promote themselves through our network and events.

At the heart of everything I do is community. I know firsthand how powerful it can be when someone creates an opportunity, opens a door, or simply believes in you. Dondada is my way of creating those doors for other creatives while continuing to grow as an artist myself. Through our events, collaborations, and fundraising efforts, we’re able to support local creatives, businesses, and organizations while giving back to the community that has supported us.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Definitely not, and I think that’s an important part of my story. Building Dondada has been a lot of trial and error. I started with a vision, but I’ve had to learn many aspects of running an organization along the way, and there are still plenty of things I’m learning to navigate. Every event and hire is unique, and I strive to grow from each one.

I’ve had to figure out event coordination, talent management, contracts, marketing, networking, and leadership largely through hands on experience. At the same time, I’m coaching others, finding organizations and event organizers interested in collaborating, making sure their needs are met, and navigating the realities of an industry where casting can change quickly and recasting is sometimes necessary.

One of the biggest challenges has been learning how to balance being a creative myself while also being the person coordinating opportunities for everyone else. When you care deeply about your community, it can be difficult to set boundaries, delegate, or accept that you can’t make everything perfect for everyone. I’ve learned to prioritize safety, create clearer boundaries, communicate expectations upfront, delegate when possible, and trust that creating a strong community doesn’t mean carrying everything on my own. One of the most rewarding parts has been watching the people I’ve worked with develop the skills and confidence to manage things independently.

There have also been moments of uncertainty, projects that didn’t go as planned, collaboration that didn’t work out, and times when I questioned whether I was doing enough. But those experiences taught me a lot about communication, professionalism, boundaries, and trusting my own judgment when deciding what is a good fit not only for our clients, but what’s best for our members as well as their advocate.

I’ve also learned that building a community takes time. Not everyone will understand the vision immediately, and not every connection is meant to last. I’ve had to learn to focus on the people who genuinely want to collaborate, grow, and contribute positively and professionally, while also making sure the people representing Dondada uphold the values we’ve built together:

• “Dare to Be” – our motto
• Progress over perfection
• Collaboration over competition
• Integrity in every step
• Community at its center
• Safety is sacred
• Uplift the artist
• Everyone gets visible public credit

The road hasn’t been smooth, but honestly, I’m grateful for that. Every challenge has made me more intentional about how I run Dondada and the kind of environment I want to create. “Progress over perfection” has always been one of our core values, and I think I’ve had to live that out personally just as much as I’ve encouraged others to do it.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about DONDADA COLLECTIVE?
Dondada Collective is an Ohio based event coordination and talent management organization built around one simple idea: when creatives have access to opportunity, community, and each other, with strong leadership and active participation, everyone grows.

What started as a small networking community has grown into a collective of hundreds of creatives across the Dayton area and beyond. We connect models, photographers, videographers, actors, designers, MUAs, hairstylists, performers, and other artists through collaborative experiences designed to help them build portfolios, gain experience, network, and work toward paid opportunities.

Today, Dondada specializes in event coordination, talent management and casting, runway production, model coaching, creative direction, promotional photoshoots, commercials, workshops, and portfolio development. We also collaborate with local businesses, organizations, designers, and event producers to provide talent and creative support for their projects.

What sets Dondada apart is that we aren’t focused solely on the finished product. We’re invested in the people behind it. We want our creatives to have opportunities to learn, make connections, receive proper recognition for their work, and grow into opportunities they may not have had access to otherwise. We emphasize safety, professionalism, visible public credit, and collaboration over competition.

Our events also aren’t just about creating something beautiful, it’s about showing up professionally, and they’re an opportunity to give back. We work to spotlight local businesses and creatives while partnering with organizations and charitable causes to use our events as a way to contribute to the Dayton community.

One of the things I’m most proud of brand wise is that Dondada has become bigger than me. I may have started it, but the community has helped shape what it is today with their own ideas and active feedback. Watching people who started with little or no experience become confident models, photographers, UGC content creators, performers, coaches, and leaders, and eventually see them create opportunities for others, is one of the most rewarding parts of what we do.

We also take a different approach to how we showcase our community. Rather than having our social media simply promote Dondada itself, we invite our actual members to tell their own stories, share their work, and document their experiences in real time through their own accounts. That gives people an opportunity to see the talent, quality, participation, and commitment within our community directly from the individuals creating it. You don’t have to simply take our word for it or wonder whether the numbers or quality are representative, you see the work and the people behind it for yourself. It also gives our members a platform to build their own visibility rather than having Dondada’s brand overshadow theirs. We symbiotically support one another, and that is our strongest differentiator.

Our motto is “Dare to Be,” and that really captures what Dondada represents. We want people to dare to try something new, dare to be seen, dare to collaborate, and dare to take up space in creative industries where they may not have always felt like they belonged.

Ultimately, I want readers to know that Dondada is more than an event company or a talent group. We’re building a creative network where opportunity circulates. We support local talent, connect them with businesses and organizations, create experiences that help them grow, understand the real industry practices and how to navigate their challenges, and use our platform to make a positive impact in the community that supports us.

What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
I think the next 5–10 years are going to bring a major shift toward technology, authenticity, and community happening side by side.

As technology continues to change how people consume fashion, advertising, and creative content, I think there will be an even greater appreciation for things that can’t be replicated, the human experience, individuality, personality, and genuine connection. I personally believe there will always be value in seeing a real person bring a concept to life, whether that’s through modeling, acting, performing, designing, or storytelling, and doing it in a healthy, professional, and meaningful way.

I also think we’re going to see more opportunities move away from traditional gatekeepers. Independent designers, models, photographers, performers, and creators can build their own audiences and careers without necessarily needing a major agency or established brand behind them. Smaller creators with genuine relationships with their audiences can carry a lot of influence because people want to know who they’re supporting and see the person behind the work, as the professional freelancers they are. I think that’s going to create more opportunities for local and emerging talent, especially when businesses and organizations realize they don’t always have to look outside their own communities to find incredible creative professionals.

Sustainability, upcycling, resale, and more intentional approaches to fashion are also trends I expect to continue growing. I think consumers are becoming more interested in the story behind what they’re wearing and the people creating it, rather than simply following a label.

But the biggest shift I personally hope to see is a stronger return to community and collaboration. People want experiences, not just advertisements. They want to meet the people behind the brands, hear their stories, and feel like they’re participating in something.

That’s actually a big part of why I built Dondada the way I did. I don’t want our platform to simply tell people that we have talented members, we give those members the opportunity to show it themselves. I think that kind of transparency and human connection will become even more important as AI-generated content becomes more common. It’s our way to fight back as creatives and consumers as the creative industry becomes increasingly saturated with content that doesn’t always feel personal or authentic..

I also see Dondada growing beyond producing our own community events. I want us to become a creative and talent partner for brands, businesses, and organizations, helping them bring their own visions to life. That could mean providing talent for larger brand campaigns and commercials, coordinating promotional productions, casting models and performers, or partnering with organizations to curate and produce runway shows specifically for their businesses, events and elevate their target audiences experience.

I would love to see Dondada become the kind of organization a brand or nonprofit can come to with a vision and say, “We want to create something like this, can you help us build it?” From the talent and casting to the production, coaching, creative direction, and event experience, I want us to be able to help bring that vision from concept to execution.

Over the next 5–10 years, my goal is to expand our reach beyond Dayton while still keeping our community centered foundation. I want to create more professional pathways for local creatives, build relationships with larger brands and organizations, support major campaigns and productions, and curate meaningful runway and creative experiences for partners, not just for Dondada itself.

Ultimately, I believe the future of the creative industry should continue to make room for real people to be seen, heard, and valued for what makes them unique. I want Dondada to grow with the industry while staying grounded in the people and community that gave it a reason to exist, without losing the human element that made people fall in love with art, fashion, performance, and storytelling in the first place. That experience is what continues other people to come back for more, and helps others find their true purpose. I want Dondada to grow with the industry without losing the community that gave it a reason to exist.

Pricing:

• Community Creative Opportunities: Many Dondada portfolio-building and networking experiences are free or offered at a low participation/coverage fee, depending on the project.
• Runway & Talent Management: Pricing varies based on casting needs, number of talents, coaching, production requirements, and event scope.
• Event Coordination & Runway Production: Customized quotes are available based on the size, location, complexity, and production needs of each event.
• Brand Campaigns, Promotional Shoots & Commercials: Customized pricing available for businesses and organizations based on talent, crew, production, and creative requirements. We offer customized collaboration packages for businesses, nonprofits, and organizations looking to incorporate Dondada talent, creative direction, or curated runway experiences into their events and campaigns.
• Talent Coaching & Development: Individual and group coaching options are available depending on the program and event.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dondada_collective
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1CCxXhCncy/
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dondada_collective