Dan Kelly was born in the Rogue Valley and spent most of his youth there, with two  exceptions being the snowcapped Cascades of Central Washington and the rolling green hills of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Dan first attended California State University, East Bay in Hayward, California after high school, but then moved back in 2017 to finish a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science & Policy at Southern Oregon University with a certificate in Sustainability Leadership. 

Dan has worked in many fields related to sustainability, including alternative transportation, solar energy, green dining, and institutional governance. He has also worked in the domestic shipping industry, education sector, and the funeral industry. His connection with Willow-Witt Ranch started in 2019 when he first fell in love with the iconic landscape on an overnight group retreat. He hopes to support the mission of the Crest by inviting, reminding, and deepening the connections we all have with nature. 

When he’s not busy as a homemaker to his spouse and two delightful daughters or supporting his local community, Dan enjoys reading, podcasts, gaming, trivia nights, and laughing heartily with friends and family. However the day is treating you, he invites you to take a moment in the outdoors to appreciate the ground beneath your feet!