Oh, where to start in recommending Daniel? Maybe by saying that I would follow Daniel anywhere. I would trust him to say the things that needed to be said, to show me things I may not see on my own, and through it all to still somehow find ways to inspire me to want to be a better evaluator and researcher. The past year has been filled with opportunities and challenges as we each face the ways we are complicit in the racism that is alive and well in the systems we work within. Daniel can deliver every word in his intersecting philosophies, and I truly believe that his approach can be transformational for those who are ready to do this work.

Every now and then you meet someone who completely changes the way you look at your work. Daniel is one of them. He is exceptionally perceptive, deeply compassionate, and identifies critical nuances that can transform the way a team or individual operates. He recognizes the power of collective knowledge and skillfully creates spaces that respect, cultivate, and amplify the insights of the communities he serves. I've learned a great deal about meaningful community engagement from Daniel, and his influence continues to improve my organization's ability to serve our mission inclusively, effectively, and in closer alignment with our values.

I have worked alongside Daniel for more than two-years now, and there isn't a form long enough to hold all of the good things I have to say about him. He has provided in-depth, needed support for projects based at the MIT Museum and active in regions throughout the US and Canada. He is incredibly present, emotionally aware, and can always read a room (even over Zoom). These abilities mean that his contributions are relevant and valuable to whomever he is working with, from junior practitioners to institutional leaders. Daniel is a very careful listener, but he is also capable of finding just the right way to challenge someone's assumptions when needed. All of this means that he can quickly and profoundly affect they way people think about--and do--their work.

Daniel is a leader. Thoughtful in his approach to the dissection of complex issues, he is mindful of the nuances of human bias and is relentless in the identification of the root causes that hinder mutual understanding. Since becoming acquainted with Daniel Aguirre, I have learned to be a more effective listener, examiner of beliefs, and observer of human behavior. As a practitioner, Daniel understands how to reach the people. Some of the people I have observed him reach are on the ground working toward change, while others are in the offices where those changes are decided. Daniel's work is hyper focused on community building that supports a transformation in culture, from the ground up.

Working alongside Daniel has been nothing short of a blessing. As a person of color, he has helped me to feel heard, valued, and empowered to be ok expressing my thoughts and actions both personally and professionally. When you work with Daniel, you are going to face some hard truths, and he is going to help you navigate those truths in a way that is non judgmental, liberating, and centered in love. If you are an organization that is looking to include ALL voices within your community, I can think of no one better to facilitate that. He has a way of tapping into very real thoughts and feelings. He does NOT rush the process, he does not exclude experiences, and he finds effective ways to bring actions to the voices he elevates. I highly recommend Daniel as an organizational change agent, community organizer, a lifter of voices, a community advocate, and thought partner.

My work with Daniel has been transformational. His authentic way of connecting and engaging with communities has inspired me in my own DEI journey, and also an inspiration on what right looks like. Daniel’s approach to community engagement is innovative and holistic...leveraging relationships and authentic engagement to understand the needs of the communities in which he is trying to reach. He is a DEI leader, he is a trailblazer, he has a story that illustrates how resilience and perseverance have the power to triumph over adversity!