Dan Burke is the Chief Executive Officer of First Tee — San Francisco, a leading youth development nonprofit that empowers young people through golf and character-building experiences designed to strengthen confidence, resilience, and life skills. Since joining the organization in 2014, Dan has helped guide its growth into a high-impact community institution that serves thousands of young people across San Francisco through school-based and year-round programs.

A Stockton, California native and the youngest of seven children, Dan brings both deep Bay Area roots and a lifelong connection to the game of golf. He graduated from Santa Clara University with a Bachelor of Science in Economics, where he also competed on the men’s golf team. Before entering the nonprofit sector, Dan built a successful career in private golf club management, including more than fifteen years as the PGA Head Golf Professional at Lake Merced Golf Club in Daly City. That experience gave him a strong foundation in leadership, operations, fundraising, event planning, and relationship-building across the business and sports communities of Northern California.

Under Dan’s leadership, First Tee — San Francisco has expanded its reach and sharpened its mission: creating innovative, fun, and empowering learning experiences for youth, especially those from underserved communities. The organization now operates across multiple San Francisco locations and has reached tens of thousands of participants through its facilities, as well as hundreds of thousands more through partnerships with schools and community programs. Dan’s role spans strategy, fundraising, board governance, financial stewardship, staff leadership, civic partnership, and community ambassadorship.

He has also helped lead significant growth initiatives and capital projects that are shaping the future of the organization, including improvements tied to the Sandy Tatum Learning Center and the Golden Gate Park Golf Course, while advancing long-term strategies for sustainability, donor engagement, and program expansion. His leadership reflects a commitment not only to organizational excellence, but also to ensuring more young people have access to safe spaces, caring mentors, and opportunities to thrive on and off the course.

Dan is widely respected for his authentic leadership style, strong community relationships, and belief in the transformative power of sports-based youth development. He lives in Oakland with his wife, Melissa, and their three children. A proud father and active sports enthusiast, he enjoys golf, fitness, and cheering on his family from the sidelines.