DAYNA ALTMAN RUNS A THRIVING COMPANY AND STAYS TRUE TO HERSELF

By Allison Rinehart, Communications Intern, Senior at Clark University

DLE Member Dayna Altman is truly a versatile talent. From writing cookbooks to public speaking, to entrepreneurship, she has risen in all these ventures.

But she is best known as the creator and force behind Bake It Till You Make It, which specializes in creating authentic mental health conversations through baking.

The origin of Bake It Till You Make It came from a place of personal hardship: Explains Dayna, “It was born out of my struggle with depression and OCD, as well as being in eating disorder recovery. I became motivated to create something that not only created joy but provided resources to have difficult conversations. Bringing difficult stories to light is very healing, both for the person telling it and for those listening.”

Her passion inspired a 2023 documentary (Bake It Till You Make It: The Documentary), which spotlights her activism at the Youth Mental Health Action Forum at the White House, which she describes as “deeply rewarding.” The 90-minute film has been screened all over the world and has won awards from international film festivals, including the IndieFEST Film Awards and Mexico Film & Creativity Festival.

As a popular public speaker, Dayna has been sharing her story for years at colleges, high schools, and DLE programs. She’s generally on the road several times a month in venues that range from school auditoriums to Gillette Stadium and the Connecticut State Capitol.

Her tenure with the DLE dates to 2020, with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Looking for an opportunity to connect with others in such an isolating time, she was a guest speaker for several virtual Breakfast Club programs and shared recipes in the DLE Holiday Kitchen Traditions Cookbook. “It was wonderful to have a supportive environment to speak openly on different topics, as well as to meet new people and learn something new.”

When asked how she balances her creative endeavors with the business side of her work, Dayna believes they work together. “I can be an entrepreneur and also stay true to myself and to my brand.” Her first book, Bake It Till You Make It, is a compilation of recipes with personal stories from 40 people on their mental health struggles and successes. Mix, Melt, Mend, her second book, reveals Dayna’s personal story through the framework of a cake pop recipe. Two more books–A Unifying Blend and Watch Me Rise–stir up mixes of recipes, stories, and poetry.

A dual graduate of Northeastern University, Dayna received a bachelor’s degree in Human Services in 2015 and her master’s degree in Public Health in 2018. She currently resides in Boston.