About Dan
Dan Smith followed his father’s footsteps into executive search and joined Raines in 2005 as a research associate. Then as now, the firm provided an accelerated career path within the field, and within a year Dan was able to work directly with top 10 PE firms and Fortune 100 companies on critical leadership roles. Over the past 15 years, he has developed a broad network across every major industry sector and functional area.
Dan believes that the top 5% of executive search consultants are remarkable professionals with specialized expertise and a true passion and track record for solving critical client challenges. He also believes that an executive search firm best serves its clients (the organizations and the specific executives running the search) when it has ongoing communications throughout the year, and not just when an outside executive is needed. Major talent decisions should be toughly made, and we are designed to have those tough discussions.
Industry & Consulting Experience
In his 20 years at Raines, Dan has worked across the entire landscape of client situations, advising CEOs and boards of the Fortune 500; PE investors with portfolios from the lower middle market up through the largest deals in history; VC-backed startups from Series A through Series E; entrepreneurs who have taken growth equity to achieve their vision; and founders who self-funded their enterprises and reinvested for growth on the path to multibillion dollar businesses. Raines has built its client service approach in partnership with this diverse array of clients, enabling customized solutions for each client’s distinct situation and need.
Dan is a proud Founding Board Member of America Needs You, a national nonprofit that fights for economic mobility for ambitious, first-generation college students by providing transformative mentorship and intensive career development.
Credentials
BA, College of Charleston, Philosophy
AESC Cornell ILR Certificate in Advanced Talent Consulting, developed by Bruce Raines