Danielle Stewart Hanson was the William Davidson Foundation’s Board of Directors’ first hire in 2014, following their decision to begin building a professional staff. She now serves as Vice President & Chief Operating Officer, having previously held the role of Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.
As Chief Operating Officer, Danielle continues to ensure that the Foundation’s day-to-day operations run smoothly and efficiently in support of the Foundation’s team, mission, and strategic goals. She oversees accounting and finance, investment, facilities, human resources, grants management, IT, risk management, and administration—maintaining the high standards of financial management, operational excellence, and compliance that are vital to the Foundation’s success. Danielle has built and led core operational functions and helped shape the overall staff structure and has been instrumental in recruiting talent across the whole Foundation, including the program and communications teams.
Danielle also plays a critical leadership role in strengthening the Foundation’s team, culture, and organizational capacity, while ensuring the Board is well-informed and supported in its roles as governors, fiduciaries, and ambassadors.
Danielle, a certified public accountant, previously served as Vice President, CFO, and Treasurer at the Skillman Foundation. In 2012, she was recognized as one of the region’s top young professionals in Crain’s Detroit Business “40 Under 40” list. Earlier in her career, she was a consultant for AlixPartners, LLC, a corporate turnaround and restructuring firm, and began her professional journey as an auditor at PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP.
She currently serves on the audit committee for Living Cities, a nonprofit based in New York and Washington, D.C. Her past service includes board and committee roles with HAVEN, a shelter serving victims of domestic violence in Oakland County, and the audit committee for Grantmakers for Children, Youth & Families.
Danielle holds a bachelor’s degree in general studies and a Master of Accounting from the University of Michigan. She and her family live in Bloomfield Hills.