I have more than 20 years of experience building the governance, portfolio visibility, and cross-functional alignment required for organizations to scale with clarity and accountability.
Most recently, I built and led an Enterprise Project Management Office (EPMO) within a 350-person organization — standardizing delivery frameworks, reporting structures, and governance systems across portfolios ranging from $50K to $26M. I led a distributed team of project and process leaders, strengthening executive visibility while fostering a culture of ownership and collaboration.
At the heart of my work is a passion for empowering leaders and teams, nurturing their growth, and driving operational excellence. I’m known for my ability to bring structure to ambiguity — not by imposing rigid process, but by aligning people around clear priorities and shared accountability. Colleagues have described me as “the neck that turns the head” — a leader who influences direction by building trust, clarifying strategy, and motivating teams to execute.
Earlier in my career, I served as a state senate-confirmed Division Director responsible for a $280M statewide operating system and 75 cross-functional staff. In highly regulated and politically complex environments, I led with discipline and emotional intelligence — balancing governance requirements with the human dynamics required for sustainable change.
Today, I partner with founder-led, investor-backed, and mission-driven organizations as a fractional operations leader, installing the operating cadence, portfolio governance, and execution discipline required for growth — while strengthening leadership alignment and team engagement.
I was born in Sheboygan, Wisconsin and lived most of my life in the Northwest suburbs of Chicago. I am currently living near Tokyo, Japan, in Yokohama. I am learning Japanese, so I understand what it’s like to feel embarrassed or be afraid to make a mistake when speaking another language! I enjoy traveling, all kinds of outdoor activities, watching movies, and learning about Japan.
What I Offer
Fractional Operations Leader
I partner with founder-led, investor-backed, and mission-driven organizations as a fractional operations leader, installing the operating cadence, portfolio governance, and execution discipline required for growth — while strengthening leadership alignment and team engagement. Learn more at https://www.gofractional.com/r/dani-kirby
Consulting
Hire me for strategic planning, project management, process development/improvement, data analysis/reporting, or writing projects.
Coaching
Coaching services are designed for up-and-coming leaders figuring out their best next steps, and for high-achieving leaders who feel stuck after reaching their initial goals. Through personalized sessions, I help you gain clarity, set intentional goals, and build a path toward sustainable success. Together, we’ll define your next big goal, manage the overwhelm, and create a strategy that keeps you aligned with your purpose. You’ll leave our sessions with a clear sense of direction and the tools to stay aligned with your goals.
Let’s Talk
I’d love to hear what you’re working on! Book a meeting with me or send me a message today!