A four-year-old girl abandoned at an Indian train station might have become another tragic statistic. Instead, Dana Priyanka Hammond transformed her harrowing beginnings into a multifaceted career spanning authorship, publishing, and community healing that now touches thousands of lives.
Hammond’s journey from abandonment through kidnapping, near-trafficking, and a turbulent path through American foster care and adoption systems forms the foundation of her memoir “Abandoned But Not Forgotten.” The book has become essential reading for trauma survivors seeking hope and practical pathways forward.
Today, Hammond operates at the intersection of personal healing and professional achievement. Her growing portfolio of books includes faith-centered guides like “Against All Odds: The Enemy’s Plan and God’s Purpose” and practical resources such as “The Solo Journey: Why You Don’t Need Others to Find Fulfillment.” Each title combines raw honesty with actionable strategies for readers navigating their own challenges.
The author’s mission extends beyond traditional publishing. Through her nas.io/dana-speaks community, Hammond provides what she calls “judgment-free, trauma-informed” resources including micro-courses and workbooks. Members work at their own pace through reflection prompts, check-ins, and weekly practices designed to reframe painful narratives into sources of strength.
In 2025, Hammond launched DPH Publishing, a boutique micro-press focused on bringing purpose-driven books to market. The company specializes in manuscript-ready production including editorial services, interior layout, cover design, and distribution to major retailers and libraries. Unlike traditional publishing houses, DPH maintains an author-first approach that respects creative vision and ownership.
Hammond’s academic credentials support her entrepreneurial ventures. After earning an Associate of Arts in Liberal Studies with a business concentration and a Bachelor of Liberal Studies focusing on Business Administration, Management, and Project Management, she is currently completing a Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership at the University of Maine at Presque Isle.
Her speaking engagements through platforms like A-Speakers and SpeakerHub blend scholarship with lived experience. Topics range from resilience and faith to ethical leadership and trauma-informed community building. Hammond addresses NGOs, schools, faith communities, and media audiences with what she describes as “research-backed insight and real-world practice.”
The author and entrepreneur has also expanded into financial empowerment through Hammond Tax Services, recognizing that practical stability complements emotional healing. The service provides guidance for families, students, and solopreneurs, particularly those rebuilding their lives after trauma.
Hammond’s memoir reveals an ongoing quest that drives much of her work. She continues searching for her birth parents, whom she hasn’t seen since her abandonment decades ago. Plans for a documentary chronicling her return to India aim to raise awareness about human trafficking while pursuing personal closure.
Through DPH Publishing, Hammond is developing what she calls “alternative marketing pathways” for authors. These optional collaborations include partnerships with magazines for author spotlights, connections with nonprofits and community centers for bulk reads and workshops, and tie-ins with educational institutions for curriculum development.
The publishing house’s “Amplify Without Agency” menu offers authors control over their marketing approach through tools like media pitch packs, event-in-a-box resources, and curriculum companions. Each option maintains transparency in cost while respecting author rights and creative control.
Hammond’s lighter works, including “Delicious Vegetarian Dishes: The Top 10 Recipes with the Unique Flavor of Indian Cuisine,” celebrate cultural heritage through approachable recipes. She also contributes to collaborative anthologies alongside other leaders sharing stories of courage and resilience.
For those seeking Hammond’s resources, her comprehensive author hub provides access to her books, healing community, tax services, and information about DPH Publishing. Her consistent message across all platforms emphasizes that healing encompasses both inner transformation and practical life-building.
As Hammond continues expanding her reach through publishing, speaking, and community building, her work demonstrates how personal trauma can fuel professional purpose. From that train station platform to publishing house boardrooms, her journey illustrates the power of transforming abandonment into advocacy, pain into purpose, and survival into service.
