Dan Drogosh

Dan’s journey into community building and innovation began in Kalamazoo, Michigan, where music sparked his passion for creativity and connection. What started on stage evolved into a career designing experiences that bring people together to solve meaningful challenges.

As Operations Manager, he spent eight years helping build Jackson, TN’s innovation hub called theCO, which supports small business owners through prototyping, marketing, and community programming. During that time, he also played guitar in a Southern rock band, touring the region, promoting original music, and co-writing and recording songs. That creative hustle deepened his love for storytelling, collaboration, and problem-solving.

He later brought that same energy to the Wond’ry, Vanderbilt University’s Center for Innovation, where he served as Program Manager of Social Innovation. There, he created and facilitated programs using design thinking frameworks to help students, social changemakers, and entrepreneurs, turn their bold ideas into real-world solutions for positive social impact.

Based in Nashville, TN, he continues to bring a people-first approach to his work by building partnerships that drive change across communities and industries.