In January 2018, Danene Sorace was elected to serve as the City’s 43rd Mayor, the second woman to hold this post. 

 

Danene spent part of her growing up years in Lancaster County and knows first hand how lost jobs and medical emergencies can suddenly result in a family’s financial ruin.  In the 3rd grade, she watched as most of her family’s belongings were sold at an auction, but it wasn’t enough.  Food stamps, Medicaid, a large vegetable garden and the generosity of family, friends, and neighbors helped.  Danene will tell you that getting to eat at a friend’s house meant there would be more food at home for the next day.  It wasn’t a happy time for her family.
In sixth grade, the family moved to rural Juniata County to start over.  Her parents sold their only asset, their home, and bought some land. While living in a pop-up camper, they set about clearing land and building a home.  Quickly, neighbors joined in the effort, including several Amish families who remain life long friends.  The house was under roof and enclosed by winter, albeit largely unfinished.  

 

Danene graduated from Juniata High School in 1990 and Albright College in 1994, holding down part-time jobs throughout both. She went on to receive her Master’s in Public Policy from the Bloustein School at Rutgers University while also working full-time at the university.

 

While at Albright College, she met her husband of twenty years, Christian Recknagel.  They were married at the Lancaster Theological Seminary in 1998.  After a 9-year stint in Christian’s home state of New Jersey, they moved back to Lancaster, PA to raise their daughter Aurelia (Lia).  Lia is now a Reynolds Middle School 7th grader.   With more than twenty years of non-profit and philanthropy experience, she has a proven record of developing and implementing strategies to advance shared goals among public/private partners, including the City’s Green Infrastructure program.  As a member of City Council, she chaired the Finance Committee. 

 

Her mom Bonnie and sister Renee live in Lancaster County.  Her father Aurelio passed away in 1999. He ended his career as an instructional aide at a vocational technical school.  She is eternally grateful to her parents and family for the experiences that have shaped her life, their love and steadfast belief that the best is yet to be.

Mayor's Office, City of Lancaster:

 

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