Meet Daniel Oppong! (he/him)
Location: Austin, TX & Nashville, TN
- How long have you been a part of TCC? How did you get connected?
Since the jump! As the Founder, seeing this thing come to life and meaningfully impact people has easily been the experience of a lifetime!
- Share your why. Why is DEI important to you?
First & foremost, I care deeply about creating a better world through better workplaces, but I also know that our experiences in the world and at work vary greatly – often in large part due to the intersectional identities we hold. Having been “one of the few” in many of the spaces I’ve been in, it’s important to me that my impact on others is one in which they feel empowered to 1) show up authentically; 2) live their truth; 3) create a life that they love. I feel like my work in the DEI space makes this possible.
- Share one identity that is important to you right now.
I’m a Black man and the son of immigrant parents. Both identities are important to me as they inform my past, present, and future.
- What superlative would you win?
- Most likely to overpack for a short trip
- Most likely to order copious amounts of Crumbl cookies
- Most likely to bench press over 400lbs. 👀 #humblebrag
- Most likely to be shamelessly cheesing in the background while watching the Courage Collective team shiiiine! 🤩
- What do you enjoy doing if and when you’re not working?
Travel! I love a good trip. I’m a rather transient soul who loves experiencing new cities & new cultures. I’ve been to quite a few places, but shout out to London for still being my favorite city. 🙂 I also am pretty into fitness. Being a former athlete, I’ve kept up with the workout routine and may or may not be one of those people who works out on vacation.
- What’s giving you energy these days?
This is super nerdy, but I’ve low key reeeaaally been into the NYTimes Games Wordle & Spelling Bee of late. 🤓Don’t knock em til you try em!
- Any interesting or random previous career stops?
I’ve worked a few random jobs over the course of my life… a few include a quick stint at a catering company, a few hot as hell Texas summers at a moving company (yes, it was miserable, and no, I won’t help you move), and almost a year working at AT&T!
But my most memorable stop happened in 2015. After finishing my Master’s Degree in Organizational Leadership from Gonzaga University (GoZags!), I took an internship at a Venture Capital Fund for $10/hr. Mind you, I was 27 at the time. Did I have piles of student loans? Absolutely. Do I regret that decision? Not a bit. It changed the trajectory of my life. I ended up going full time at the VC Fund and learning more about life, businesses, creating value, etc. than I ever learned in school. Definitely an experience I’m eternally grateful for.
Stay tuned for more opportunities to get to know the entire Courage Collective team!
