Meet Dan Olesen
Dan Olesen is a bold community-builder with a practical mindset and a people-first approach. With no party ties, he’s running as an independent to bring authentic leadership, fresh ideas, and community-driven solutions to Calgary’s Ward 1, leadership grounded in listening, guided by values, and focused on real results for real people.
He’s a husband, a father of two, and a pet parent to a golden retriever and a slightly judgy cat. His 11-year-old son is a curious tech tinkerer and a thoughtful observer with a love for rock climbing and curling. His 9-year-old daughter is full of energy, passion, and grit, most often found on the ice or in the gym. Both children bring a remarkable level of empathy for others, which keeps Dan grounded in what truly matters.
Dan’s wife, Erin, works full-time in community investment and still volunteers on the school parent council. She’s smart, steady, and probably better suited for Ward 1 leadership than Dan but she’s made it clear she’s not running. So Dan is. Because together, their family lives the values they hope to see in City Hall: service, compassion, and action rooted in community.
Dan isn’t a career politician. He’s running as an independent to bring authentic leadership, fresh ideas, and community-driven solutions to Calgary’s Ward 1. His campaign is about amplifying the voices that too often go unheard, seniors, students, small business owners, and everyday Calgarians trying to build a better life.
Dan's Background
From education and small business to community advocacy and leadership, Dan’s background reflects a lifelong commitment to building opportunities that put people first.
Dan’s commitment is simple:
listen more, speak clearly, act with values, and always put people first.
Connecting Education to Opportunity
Dan is best known for championing apprenticeship-style learning in tech and digital design, bridging the gap between education and employment through paid, hands-on experience that helps people build real careers.
Building Bridges Across Sectors
Dan has led meaningful collaborations with government, educators, and industry leaders to strengthen work-integrated learning, ensuring more people can access practical opportunities that lead to lasting impact.
Small Business, Big Lessons
As a small business owner, Dan understands the realities of budgeting, conservative fiscal management, hustle, and earning community trust, experience that grounds his people-first approach in everyday challenges and real accountability.
Advocacy That Listens
Dan has been a longtime advocate for seniors, students, and entrepreneurs, designing grassroots programs that prioritize lived experience and amplify the voices that often go unheard.
Heroes Inspiring Heroes
Through his LinkedIn campaign, #HeroesInspiringHeroes, Dan celebrates everyday Calgarians making extraordinary impact, reminding us that leadership lives in service, not status.
Leading with Clarity & Courage
As a speaker, coach, and workshop-based learning experiences, Dan equips others to lead with empathy, communication, and confidence because stronger communities start with empowered individuals.
