Dan Kempson

Dan is a Principal at ghSMART. He advises investors, executives, and boards on their most crucial leadership and people needs, including talent assessment, leadership development, and executive succession planning.

Prior to ghSMART, Dan was a Project Leader at Boston Consulting Group. Serving clients in multiple industries, including consumer products, financial services, and industrial goods, he gained particular experience in organizational transformations and leading large-scale negotiation strategy. During this time, he also led multiple pro bono engagements advising nonprofit executives and boards at performing arts institutions. Dan is deeply passionate about coaching and development, co-leading BCG’s NAMR Pride Mentorship program, which involved hundreds of LGBTQ consultants in North America. In addition, he was selected for a rotation as a people, teaming and sustainability coach, working closely with Managing Directors and Partners on dozens of BCG engagements.

Before joining BCG, Dan had an international career as a Grammy-nominated operatic baritone. Highlights included performances with dozens of opera companies and symphonies across the US and Europe, leading roles on recordings on the Albany and Naxos labels, and joining the Principal Artist roster of the Metropolitan Opera.

Dan received his MBA from Columbia Business School, and holds music degrees from Manhattan School of Music and Peabody Conservatory.