The Seattle Public Library Foundation joins with many other organizations in the city to mourn the loss of Dan McConnell. Dan was a member of the Library Foundation board since 2013 and served on the executive committee as secretary from 2014 to 2016. He was also a member of the Donor Relations and Communications committee. His warmth, humor, and wise counsel will be missed by all of us.
Dan was one of the Northwest’s best known and most active public relations strategists. His experience included extensive work in strategic planning, sports and event marketing, media relations and crisis communications. As the former managing director of DDB Public Relations, a worldwide marketing communications agency, he built both a national and international reputation and has worked with more than 300 companies, organizations and individuals — including Microsoft, McDonald’s, ABC Sports, the White House, Archbishop Desmond Tutu and the Olympics.
As an active member of the Library Foundation board, Dan was always ready to use his wide network of contacts to help connect the Library with key stakeholders in the community. He was also extremely generous in providing his time and expertise to develop the Foundation’s communications and event planning.