Daniel J. Quinn
As Public Policy Associates (PPA) celebrates 35 years of providing research, evaluation and strategic consultation, Daniel Quinn, Ph.D., currently serves as the firm’s Chief Strategy Officer and is a shareholder in the firm. Dan holds a unique dual mandate: he is responsible for executing PPA’s internal strategic direction and organizational growth while leading external strategic planning for clients across our policy areas. By bridging these roles, he ensures that PPA remains a trusted partner for organizational leaders across Michigan who are committed to evidence-based policy change.
Dan is a seasoned leader in both public policy and organizational management who focuses on developing the research needed to advance Michigan’s most urgent policy issues. He is skilled at building consensus and fostering collaboration across organizations, helping government, philanthropy, and nonprofits work more effectively together.
Before joining PPA, he served as executive director of the Great Lakes Center for Education Research and Practice, where he managed a nationally recognized policy research agenda. In 2019, Governor Gretchen Whitmer appointed him to Michigan’s A-F Peer Review Panel. He is also an alumnus of the prestigious Michigan Political Leadership Program (MPLP) at Michigan State University’s Institute for Public Policy and Social Research (IPPSR). This bipartisan program selects individuals from across the state who are dedicated to community service and brings them together to engage in a rigorous public policy and leadership curriculum.
PPA’s clients appreciate Dan’s skill in delivering tailored and flexible consulting services that help them better understand how to improve their programs, practices, and policies on a larger scale.
Education
He holds a Ph.D. in educational leadership from Oakland University, a master’s degree from Saginaw Valley State University, and a bachelor’s degree from Bowling Green State University in Ohio.
Also Notable
He recently served as President of the Mid-Western Educational Research Association (MWERA), a professional organization that promotes educational research and offers a platform for scholars to share work and discuss current issues. In 2026, he continues his leadership role on the board as Immediate Past President.
