Dan Cruce – Vice President of Education at Hope Street GrouDan Cruce a Mover & Shaker
Dan Cruce has certainly proven himself to be a high-energy North DelaWHERE Mover & Shaker. He is committed to public service from his previous work in the public sector as the Deputy Secretary Chief of Staff at the Delaware Department of Education. In this role, he helped lead the state to a first place win in the Race to the Top, bringing in over $117M to the state. As the Deputy Superintendent Chief of Staff at the Christina School District, Dan helped lead the district out of a financial crisis. He has used his diverse work experience in the public sector and educational system to work tirelessly to support the local arts community. Just as important to Dan is the collaboration he enjoyed with other Delaware animal lovers that led to much needed changes for the homeless dog and cat population, including the new Delaware Human Association building and organization.
Currently, he is leading the Hope Street Group’s education practice. He still resides in Wilmington, Delaware, and uses his current national platform to share up great lessons from the state and to bring back new ideas that can help keep Delaware a national leader. Dan is hopeful for the future prosperity of all Americans that his current role in the Hope Street Group works to achieve.
He serves as Chair of the Delaware Humane Association Board of Directors as well the Chair of the Delaware Arts Consortium Board of Directors. He is also a long time member of the Delaware Theatre Company Board of Directors and the Delaware Arts Alliance.
Q & A with Dan Cruce
NDH: The person who nominated you gave us 3 reasons why you should be nominated as a Mover & Shaker. Now we would like to hear it from you. Tell us 3 reasons why you are a Mover & Shaker.
- The opportunity that I have to lead and learn with the Delaware arts community.
- My ability to work with great teachers and leaders in Delaware’s education movement.
- My collaboration with amazingly diverse community stakeholders in support of Delaware’s homeless dog & cat population
NDH: What achievements are you most proud of?
The diverse team and amazing team work that enabled the creation of a new Delaware Humane Association building, organization and community. It’s a hallmark example of “the Delaware way”.
NDH: Can you share any stories about how your involvement in these organizations has impacted an individual or the North Delaware community?
The support of my fellow board members at the Delaware Arts Consortium and Delaware Humane Association (DHA) enabled me to lead collaborative efforts as those organization’s Board Chair to support individual arts organizations missions and DHA’s programs.
NDH: Movers & Shakers are visionaries. What projects are you working on for future achievement?
In my role with Hope Street Group, I work across the country with great educators, policy leaders, philanthropic organizations and advocacy groups. This work is with the specific intent of driving economic prosperity for all Americans. To that end, we are currently replicating a program across multiple states that enables teachers to lead teachers to present their data informed “voice” to state policy makers for solutions to the most pressing education reform needs in their state now.
NDH: What local organizations, events or clubs are you currently involved with?
Delaware Humane Association, Delaware Theatre Company, Delaware Arts Consortium, Delaware Arts Alliance
NDH: What attracted you to these organizations?
The connection between their mission and the Delaware community
NDH: Who or what inspired you to get involved?
Individuals moved me from interest to involvement. For Delaware Theatre Company, Cindy Pettinaro Wilkinson, Carla Markell & Gail O’Donnell were the catalysts. For Delaware Humane Association, Patrick Carroll identified my interest and matched it with DHA’s need.
NDH: Do you have a mentor?
Many…in many different circles and in many different ways.
NDH: What’s your favorite event in North Delaware?
My favorite event in N. DE event is the Delaware Humane Association’s Annual Muttini Mixer. It’s a dog friendly cocktail party & is actually coming up on 3/14 at The Queen: DHA’s 2015 Muttini Mixer.
NDH: What’s your go-to spot for dinner or night life?
My favorite go-to spot for dinner/drinks…that’s hard to nail it down to one. I hope you don’t mind if I give you a couple:
- I’m a big beer guy…so it’s WSAH & the bar at Jessop’s
- Cocktails…it’s the bar at Pochi
- Old school Italian…Robino’s (hosted by Robin, Lisa & Tommy at Robino’s)
- Gastropub goodness at Ulysses
NDH: Is there anything else that North Delaware should know about YOU?
How humbled I am by this recognition & fortunate I am to learn from and lead with such amazing community members.
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