FOUNDER & HEAD BRIDGE-BUILDER
TRUST A LEADER WHO HAS DONE THE WORK.
Dan Schiller
COACH & ADVISOR
Experience. Integrity. Vision.
For as long as I can remember, people and the programs that empower and uplift them, have been my purpose. My life's work has been centered on supporting others (particularly young people) to be at their best so that as a society we can be at ours.
My approach has been shaped by nearly two decades of impact-focused work as a non-profit professional and organizational leader. I served at the Executive Leadership level from 2015 to 2022 at which point I decided to step out and use my experience, education, expertise, and skill to work alongside and in support of the impact work of others.
I've built organizations from the ground, have turned around others that were struggling and stagnant, and have created cultures of sustainability, innovation, and growth. I have worked with diverse organizations of all sizes and structures. I've built and led incredibly diverse, talented, and high-performing teams. I've been able to inspire the achievement of seemingly impossible goals...AND I have fumbled and failed along the way, learning and growing from both my successes and my missteps.
I'm a social science and human behavior nerd. I pride myself on being a forever student, continuously reading, researching, listening to podcasts, and taking courses at places like Stanford University, the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and IDEO U. I wholeheartedly believe that the best teachers and servant-leaders are life-long learners, and that constant evolution and continuous improvement are key to making contributions over the life-span.
I'm a father to two rad little girls and a husband to a strong woman who provides balance, honesty, and true partnership. I'm always in motion, love the outdoors, and am game to try just about any and all physical activity. I do a lot of talking with my hands, and as a result, I spill things a lot...take note of that when we meet in person (guard your coffee).
I take my work seriously but I don't take myself too seriously. Life's too short to be wound tight.
Résumé
ACTIONS & EXPERIENCE MATTER
PERSONAL MISSION
To create pathways of access and understanding so that we can be at our collective best.
MANTRA
Be kind. Try hard.
EXPERIENCE
For nearly two decades I’ve worked for youth and community serving non-profit organizations of all sizes, in all phases, and through all major change stages, and have found incredible success in ensuring these organizations have the people, resources, and cultures they need to be successful and are positioned for long-term sustained success.
I have lived it! Starting as a line staff member I spent years grinding to give my clients the access, opportunities, and encouragement they deserved. In the process of delivering for my clients, I worked my way up through the ranks of organizational leadership, which included serving for 6 years in program leadership roles and 7 years in the role of President and Executive Director. I also have served and continue to serve on governing boards for organizations that are doing some of the most important work in Milwaukee. I know firsthand how important and difficult it is to lead and lead well, how challenging it can be to find the right candidates for the most critical roles, how critical and nuanced constructive team dynamics are, and how little time and resources impact organizations have at their disposal to do it all.
I’ve been responsible for building, rebuilding, and resetting leadership teams and many of the team members I’ve recruited and cultivated are now in senior and executive leadership roles across Milwaukee and the country. Seeing these individuals thrive and continue to serve as leaders dedicated to the growth, well-being, and success of others is the career achievement I take the greatest pride in.
EDUCATION
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Bachelor of Psychology: University of Wisconsin - Madison
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Masters of Social Work (Clinical): University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
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Foundations in Design Thinking Certificate. IDEO U.
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Executive Program in Social Entrepreneurship. Stanford University
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Project Management Certificate. UW-Madison Continuing Studies
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Living Leadership, Communication Collaboration & Change. UW-Madison Continuing Studies
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Extensive Diversity Equity and Inclusion education, training, and coaching