Dan M. De Nose, MPA

The world often bet against young troubled youths; a youth whose developmental years  are categorized by rebellious streaks resulting in low academic engagement, serial suspensions, and copious amounts of time spent in detention. These were the exact words used to describe the formative years of Dan M. De Nose. Born in Brooklyn, NY as a first generation American to Haitian parents, Dan rejected his parent’s effort to provide the best possible opportunities to him. Despite his parent’s efforts to build an environment predicated by love, spirituality, and positive moral values, Dan decided against it and leaned upon his own understanding, which wasn't much at that time. 

However, beyond his knowledge, Dan was destined to succeed. At the age nine years old, Dan was noticed by a talent scout from the world renowned Newark Boys’ Chorus School and after a short audition, was invited to enroll. While attending NBCS, he was given the opportunity to participate in international singing tours, perform on the set of Good Morning America, and even take the stage at Carnegie Hall. 

Those around Dan continued to believe in his potential for greatness and never gave up on him. This type of encouragement eventually led to Dan attending a military summer camp, where he began to strengthen his confidence, self-discipline and the leadership skills necessary to become a self-determined young man. Recognizing Dan’s growth and potential, the camp director pitched the idea that Dan leave Newark to attend school in Geneva, NY. Armed with a new sense of self and the ambition to continue on his path to improvement, he transferred to school in Geneva, where he did a complete 180 turnaround and began to excel. 

With the aware of this new ambition and confidence, Dan began to develop parts of his personality that will eventually become the mold for the man he is today.  During his undergraduate study, Dan designed his own major called Rhetoric of Leadership, co-creating a program called “Leaders of Tomorrow”, which mentored young men at the Boys and Girls club. He was recognized with the Presidents’ Award for Outstanding Service to Campus and Community and the President’s Civic Leadership Award. Dan also sat on the Board of Trustees as a student for Hobart and William Smith Colleges.

Years before, Dan had never envisioned even making it through middle school. Today, he holds a master’s degree in Public Administration from Rutgers School of Public Affairs and Administration, and inducted into the Phi Alpha Alpha Honor Society as Magna Cum Laude.  

Due to his perseverance to the unwavering love and encouragement poured into him from family and others in his circle of influence, Dan received the Rutgers School of Public Affairs and Administration Academic Excellence Award. He was accepted into an international 2-month fellowship with USAID Global Development in Cape Town, South Africa where he researched ways to improved STEM education, as well as receiving placement in an international research public policy case study with Seoul Metropolitan in Seoul, Korea.

Dan’s professional experience ranges from Senior Manager for the Office of Family and Community Engagement, Newark Public School; Assistant Director, Rutgers University – Cooperman College Scholars; Community Relations Manager, Newark Fairmont Promise Neighborhood; Project Director, Rutgers Newark Freedom School; Deputy Director for Community Advocacy, iReform; Program Coordinator, Prudential Financial; Personal Aide: [former] Mayor Cory Booker - Newark, NJ. Dan is also proud Board of Directors member of Lake Delaware Boys’ Camp, a proud alumnus of Leadership Newark class of 2014, and a proud member of Bethesda International Ministry Church. He works and lives in Newark, NJ. 

Today, Dan walks confidently in his sense of purpose and responsibility to pay it forward, and leave the community better than he found it. He’s the founder of “Leaders of the 21st Century”, a global-aspiring nonprofit whose mission to develop civic minded youth leaders in urban communities and prepare them for the world of work through leadership and professional development, in order to teach them how to positively impact their local community. Taking his own life experiences as lessons that empower him to help others, his motivating ideology is that success is determined by faith, positivity, hard work, and the belief that all things are possible.  He is a positive thought coach manifesting dreams into reality with the belief you are what you think.