Dan Goldstein

Communications

Dan sees communication as a tool for building connections and solving problems. He works with clients and co-workers to develop strategies for communications needs, whether designing data collection outreach or sharing evaluation findings in creative ways. He applies expertise in digital communications tools such as social media and newsletter platforms and has helped clients build these systems with their own brand and messaging. Dan is also experienced in using tools like Canva to create more visual representations of clients’ work.

Large-group engagement

Virtual meetings featuring hundreds of people can go well or they can go poorly—it comes down to having expertise in planning and facilitating. Dan brings this to The Improve Group, where he supports clients to facilitate successful virtual events with hundreds of people. Dan brings his expertise in user experience and accessibility to support clients to host large-group gatherings. By thinking ahead about what an event requires, Dan helps events go smoothly and meet their engagement goals. This ranges from planning for closed-captioning, translation, or interpretation to helping clients notice gaps in who signs up so they can target more outreach. Dan developed an Improve Group large-group facilitation checklist of logistical and technological items to plan ahead of time and consider during an event, so facilitators can focus on facilitating a productive event. Dan puts himself in participants’ shoes to build events that are accessible —however they are accessing it—and worth their time. In meetings, Dan provides tech support, facilitates group activities, and ensures breakout rooms are set up so people are where they need to be and everything goes to plan.

Accessibility

Dan is The Improve Group’s champion for all things accessibility, encouraging all Improve Group staff to remember the importance of accessibility and lending his expertise as needed. He has expertise in Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 and Section 508 requirements and is well-versed in applying these practices to meet State of Minnesota standards. He applies this expertise to design report and spreadsheet templates to be accessible from the start; review and improve final reports to meet accessibility standards; and develop web and other content that is in plain language and accessible for access with devices like screen-readers.

Strategic planning

Dan builds upon the Technology of Participation and other methods for strategic planning to meet clients’ goals and needs. He listens to understand what is important to clients and designs workshop flow and format accordingly. Dan considers how to hear and value all voices in strategic planning, including but not limited to leaders and board members. For example, he often recommends data collection before workshops to collect input from people with important perspectives. As a facilitator, Dan helps participants feel comfortable sharing and pays attention to who could be encouraged to say more. Following workshops, Dan expertly crafts strategies and implementation plans that reflect what participants said was important.