Dan Polanek

Dan Polanek has extensive experience in various leadership roles, primarily in the fields of operations, research and development, and marketing. Dan is currently the Head of Operations at Empath Labs, where they have been for nearly seven years. Prior to their current position, they served as the Head of Operations at Sproutel from 2017 to 2023.

Before joining Sproutel, Dan worked at Hasbro Inc for a significant period of time. Dan held several senior roles, including Senior Director of R&D in the New Business Group and Senior Director of R&D in Tiger Games. During their tenure at Hasbro, they launched new animatronic products for the elder care market and revitalized the Tiger Games brand, leading to significant revenue growth. Dan was also promoted to Vice President and played a key role in developing over 100 new products annually.

Prior to joining Hasbro, Dan worked at Tiger Electronics as the Director of Marketing and R&D, where they tripled the business segment in just three years. Dan also worked at MB Sales as a Product Manager and Engineer, focusing on the design and production of Happy Meal premiums. At Marchon Inc., Dan worked as a Product Designer and Manager, driving innovation in the toy industry.

Overall, Dan Polanek's work experience demonstrates their expertise in operations, research and development, marketing, and product innovation across various industries.

Dan Polanek received a Bachelor's Degree in Industrial Design from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale. No specific start or end year for this education is provided.