Dan Wyant

As chairman and president of the Edward Lowe Foundation, Dan Wyant works with the board to establish a vision and ensure that founders’ intent and the foundation’s mission are carried out. He also oversees daily operations and execution of strategy. This includes evaluation of the organization’s current entrepreneurship and land stewardship initiatives and determining new programmatic direction. 

Established in 1985, the Edward Lowe Foundation is a national, nonprofit organization that supports entrepreneurship through research, recognition and educational programs, which are delivered through entrepreneur support organizations. The foundation focuses on second-stage companies — those that have moved beyond the startup phase and seek significant, steady growth. In addition, the foundation has a mission of land stewardship and is committed to preserving the natural resources and historically significant structures at Big Rock Valley, its 2,000-acre home in southwest Michigan.

Wyant was one of the longest-serving state department directors in Michigan’s history, having worked for three governors (Rick Snyder, John Engler and Jennifer Granholm) as the director of Michigan’s Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and the director of Michigan’s Department of Agriculture (MDA). During his tenure, Wyant helped establish nationally recognized programs for economic development and pollution prevention that not only diversify and add value to Michigan’s economy, but also protect the state’s diverse natural environment.

Prior to the MDA, Wyant provided policy expertise for the Senate Majority Office and was associate director of Governor Engler’s Office of Legislative Affairs. In the private sector, Wyant was a marketing manager for the Ralston Purina Co. and an export trade consultant for Lowe’s International.

Within the philanthropic community, Wyant currently serves on the boards of Michigan Celebrates Small Business, the Great Lakes Leadership Academy and Kinexus. Previously he has been a board member of The Nature Conservancy in Michigan and the Council of Michigan Foundations and served on the board of trustees at Southwestern Michigan College. 

Wyant holds a bachelor’s degree in food systems management from Michigan State University and a master’s in business administration from American University in Washington, D.C.