When crises strike, businesses must act decisively to protect operations, reputation, and relationships. Join COO and crisis management expert Dan Wallek as he shares practical strategies for navigating operational and reputational challenges during high-stakes moments. This session will cover advice for effective decision-making under pressure, maintaining team cohesion, communicating transparently with stakeholders, and learning from crisis scenarios to emerge stronger. Whether you’re a startup leader or an aspiring entrepreneur, this event will equip you with the tools to weather any storm.
 
About the event:
 
Building a business? Ever wish you could speak to and learn directly from subject matter experts (while never leaving your couch)? Join host Andy Lee from the University of Minnesota’s Technology Commercialization office each Wednesday for this exciting and casual AMA (‘ask me anything’) style series on business building fundamentals. Check out all of the talks here: https://www.crowdcast.io/@techcomm
 
This event series is brought to you with support from Launch Minnesota, a statewide collaborative effort to accelerate the growth of startups and amplify Minnesota as a national leader in innovation.
 
About the speakers:
 
Dan Wallek
 
Dan Wallek is a seasoned operations executive with extensive experience in scaling high-growth businesses, optimizing operational efficiencies, and leading organizations through strategic transitions. As the Founder and Fractional COO of ExcelerateOPS, he provides hands-on operational leadership to emerging and growth-stage companies, helping them build scalable foundations, execute strategic initiatives, and position for sustainable success—whether through continued expansion, acquisition, or investment.
 
With a track record of operational excellence, Dan has successfully guided companies in industries ranging from aerospace and defense to education technology. As the former Chief Operating Officer at TSI Plastics, he spearheaded the consolidation of multiple manufacturing facilities into a centralized operational hub while ensuring compliance with cybersecurity standards (CMMC & NIST). Previously, as COO of FastBridge Learning, he played a pivotal role in scaling the company from $4M to $20M in revenue, leading to its successful acquisition by Illuminate Education.
 
Beyond his executive leadership roles, Dan is deeply committed to mentoring and developing leaders. He serves as a Certified SCORE Mentor, advising entrepreneurs and small businesses, and as an Executive in Residence for the University of Minnesota’s Discovery Launchpad, where he supports university-based startups in commercializing cutting-edge innovations. His leadership extends to advisory and board roles, where he helps organizations navigate growth, operational challenges, and strategic planning.
 
Dan’s expertise spans operational leadership, financial and business strategy, process optimization, cybersecurity, and talent development. His ability to align teams, drive execution, and build high-performing organizations makes him a trusted advisor and executive partner for businesses looking to accelerate their impact.
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