"The need will teach you"
I grew my entire childhood with this value told by my father.
It reflects very well the resilience, creativity and being brave to move on, finding solutions and keep adaptive, continuous learning.
Living my diverse personal and professional life I enriched my father's guiding value:
Romanian proverb
In my life and my career, I gained or received great privileges, that I never dreamed of, to which I'm forever grateful!
I built my career with clarity in three major chapters, growing in remarkable international companies while always helping others to grow.
I have more than 25Y of very diverse professional expertise, working and growing together with more than 1,000 incredible professionals, colleagues and partners.
I'm still using this today as my compass.
"The need of a good purpose will guide you pretty well in your life."
I'm Dan Crisan and I was born in Cugir, a small city from Transylvania, Romania. I came from a world where freedom had a completely different meaning from what it is really today.
My portrait
Foundation
KRAFT FOODS (Mondelez)
1997-2002
Built my professional character and acumen with experience in marketing, merchandising, trade marketing, key accounts management, sales & integration in chocolate and coffee industry.
Shaping my first leadership style:
Lead with Kindness.
My first leadership experiences, starting from leading myself as merchandiser to lead a large team of +70 team members.
From my first mentor & coach experiences to my first mentoring & coaching experiences.
I was part of a great talent pool team | alumni that later brought amazing leadership in Europe or Global in international companies.
Enterprise Mindset
GALLAHER GROUP | PUMA
2002-2014
Learned two new industries: tobacco and sport-lifestyle. Developed strategic plans and implemented the new market entry, commercial, marketing, distribution, finance and retail. My first General Manager and international leadership experience.
Enjoyed two "start-up" career projects, as first employee on the ground for both companies:
Gallaher and Puma - direct market entry in Romania. I built, led or contributed to establish two organizations with all needed cross-functional teams: commercial, finance, marketing, legal, supply chain, production, admin.
My first organizational culture building (+120) and entrepreneurial approach to win in the market.
Lead with Kindness fully embedded in my leadership style.
Continued mentoring and coaching others
International Leadership
BROWN-FORMAN
2015-2025
Added one more industry:
premium spirits.
Shaped & evolved my General Manager role in a great culture company, growing in European leadership, in truly multicultural enviroment, with more than 20 nationalities.
Expanded my international multi-markets lead experience with focus on Europe
Enriched my leadership style with
+7 years volunteer contribution in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
Continued to mentor & coach others.