Dan Remmenga

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Dan joined the Center for Independent Employees (CIE) in March 2026 as Executive Director, bringing 15 years of nonprofit fundraising and organizational leadership experience. Throughout his career, he has specialized in developing practical fundraising programs that help organizations grow while strengthening relationships with the donors who make that work possible.

Dan began his career as a high school teacher after earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mathematics Education. When he declined to sign the card to join the teachers’ union, he was promptly confronted by a union representative—an experience that stayed with him and sparked a lasting interest in protecting the rights of employees to make independent decisions.

He has also seen how union pressures can affect the long-term stability of employers and the livelihoods of employees. After several years in education, Dan moved into the private sector, working as a pension actuarial analyst at a global consulting firm. The experience gave him insight into how pension commitments and collective bargaining agreements can create significant financial strain. Instead of protecting employees, those obligations often leave organizations with difficult choices—including layoffs—to remain financially viable.

Because of these experiences, CIE’s mission resonates deeply with Dan, and he welcomed the opportunity to join the team.

Immediately prior to joining CIE, Dan spent a decade at one of the nation’s leading free market policy organizations. While there, he worked closely with senior leadership to design and implement fundraising systems and strategies that supported the organization’s rapid growth. During his tenure, its annual budget more than quadrupled from approximately $4.5 million in 2016 to more than $21 million by the end of 2025.

Dan lives in the Midwest with his wife and their two teenage children. He enjoys worshiping at his local church and spending time outdoors.