Leading with purpose

Dan McMillan ’88 is Linfield’s 2025 Distinguished Alumnus of the Year

Dan McMillan ’88 never imagined a job he took “because it seemed like a good company” would one day lead him to the top.

Now president and CEO of The Standard, Dan leads a national financial services company with more than 5,300 employees and nine million customers. His journey — from Linfield basketball player to the corner office — has been defined by steady leadership, deep community commitment and a mindset shaped by both the humanities and the sciences.

And it all started in McMinnville.

From English major to CEO

Dan graduated in 1988 with a degree in English with a minor in mathematics – an unusual but, in hindsight, ideal combination for his future career. The blend of creative thinking and analytical rigor shared how he leads, solves problems and connects with others.

He joined The Standard in 1989, just one year out of college. He stayed for the culture.

“I stayed because of the people and the strong values,” Dan said. Thirty-six years later, he still calls the company home.

Climbing the ranks, leading through crisis

Dan steadily rose through the ranks at The Standard, stepping into executive roles that gave him oversight of both the company’s insurance and asset management divisions. In January 2021, he was named president and CEO.

At that level, the work shifts.

“It’s about defining a shared vision and coaching your team to stay focused on it,” he said.

That vision was tested early in his tenure. As COVID-19 disrupted workplaces around the globe, Dan helped lead The Standard through the uncertainty.

“One of the key functions of a leader, of a CEO, is to help navigate through difficult times,” he said. “Seeing our employees rise to the challenge of serving our customers, even as we transitioned to a mostly remote workforce, and seeing our company continue its growth trajectory, was certainly a rewarding time as a leader.”

Revitalizing a city and giving back

As one of downtown Portland’s largest employers, The Standard plays a major role in the city’s economic and civic life. Under Dan’s leadership, the company has been closely involved in efforts to support downtown’s recovery and future.

In 2023, Dan joined Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek as co-chair of the Portland Central City Task Force. The task force brought together business, nonprofit and government leaders to address issues such as homelessness, open drug use and public safety.

“As a company with deep roots in downtown Portland, we had a unique perspective to bring to the table,” Dan said. “While there’s more work to do, the efforts of the task force are bearing fruit as we’re seeing a cleaner, safer and more vibrant downtown in recent months.”

Dan also serves as president of The Standard Charitable Foundation, which has awarded more than $2.6 million to over 100 nonprofit partners. In total, the company, its employees and retirees contribute more than $7 million annually to causes across the country.

Rooted in Linfield values

Dan’s Linfield education helped him develop a distinctive leadership mindset — one that values both big-picture storytelling and data-driven decision-making. With his degree in English and a minor in mathematics, he gained a rare combination of skills that allows him to connect with people while also analyzing complex challenges.

His experience as a varsity basketball player added another layer, sharpening his ability to collaborate, adapt and lead within a team.

Originally entering Linfield with plans to become an engineer, Dan eventually found himself drawn to the humanities. That shift in direction, shaped by the flexibility of a liberal arts education, helped prepare him for the diverse challenges of business leadership.

Family first

No matter how big the job, Dan is quick to say where his priorities lie.

“My wife, four daughters, their partners and my now four grandchildren are and will always be the area where I focus the most attention,” he said.

Dan’s decades of leadership, community service and deep integrity make him a standout among Linfield alumni — and the clear choice for this year’s Distinguished Alumnus of the Year.