Daniel Van Sant

Director of disability policy, Harkin Institute for Public Policy & Citizen Engagement

Age: 36

Education: Syracuse University College of Law: Juris Doctorate; Syracuse University School of Education: Master of Science in cultural foundations of education; Drake University: Bachelor of Arts in international relations, rhetoric, politics

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Tell us four of your proudest accomplishments or accolades.

As the director of disability policy at the Harkin Institute, I am a locally, nationally and internationally sought after expert in disability rights and inclusion. 

I am the recipient of the 2025 Citizen Diplomat Award from Global Ties U.S.

I am a board member of Des Moines Film (Varsity Cinema).

I am on the Iowa Access to Justice Commission with the Iowa Supreme Court.

What's your biggest passion, and why?

Empowering other disabled people to see their value. This scratches a “be the person you needed when you were younger” itch for me. Disabled people are bombarded with negative messages. I enjoy bringing a real “Magneto energy” to the conversation by suggesting we can find power and pride in it.

How do you define success, both personally and professionally?

Professionally, I measure success by the number of opportunities I make for others. If I can use my position to give emerging leaders a platform, help a job seeker find employment or connect two like-minded people, I’ve succeeded. Personally, I strive to live my values even if it goes against the grain.

Tell us about an issue you think more people should know about.

Many places in the U.S. — including Iowa — allow disabled people to be paid far below minimum wage, sterilized without consent, denied the right to marry or vote, pushed out of public schools, trapped in poverty under a public benefits system that has not been updated in decades, and more.

What's an experience or memory that influenced how you saw the world or what you wanted to do in life?

In law school I took a travel seminar to Vietnam and visited institutions for disabled people. At one of them, I met three Deaf Vietnamese men who were so excited to meet a physically disabled foreigner. They saw past the differences and identified a commonality. Seeing how the lottery of birth shaped my life and radicalized me.

What are your aspirations for the future?

Like many nonprofit professionals, I dream of a world where my work is not needed. Whether you work at the local, state, national or international levels, if you are interested in making your work more universally designed and inclusive, I want to connect with you.

What's one piece of advice you'd give to a young professional?

Don’t be afraid to reach out with requests for mentoring, advice, networking, etc. None of us on this list would be where we are today without support from people we respected and wanted to emulate. We’re often flattered when we can pay that forward, but we can’t help you if you don’t reach out.

What's one regular habit that's made you successful?

A couple times a year I take a Wednesday off as a mental health day to do something fun. No chores, no to-do list. I go to an attraction and try a new place for lunch. It feels like playing hooky, and I always come back feeling refreshed and inspired.

What is one thing you would like to see Central Iowa leaders address, and why?

I would call upon Central Iowa leaders to invest in expanding public transportation in our region. A robust and accessible public transportation system drives economic growth; improves physical, mental and social health; connects job seekers to employment opportunities; makes our cities safer; and so much more.

What's one fun fact about you?

I have been to over 40 countries. Proud to hit that number and excited to continue to see more of the world!

Hobbies:

Traveling, learning languages and seeing anything playing at the Varsity.

What is one word that best describes you?

Intentional.

What’s one food (meal, snack, dessert, whatever!) you think people must try in the Des Moines area?

Black Cat Ice Cream.

What’s the funniest or most surprising thing that’s happened to you recently?

I had the honor of co-leading a J-Term travel seminar for Drake University this winter, bringing 13 of our students to Kosovo. For many of the students, this was their first time out of the country. Helping them navigate that experience was, itself, a meaningful experience for me. One funny moment happened after a high-level meeting. A student said, “The car pulled up at the office and it’s like a switch went off, like, you’re a real professional attorney!” and I had to laugh, “Yes I am. Thank you?” It was a chance to show them how we balance different aspects of our life. I can talk about Bad Bunny’s new album and joke about Gen Z slang on the bus one minute and speak with an ambassador in front of foreign media the next. We contain multitudes, students.

What’s your favorite tradition to participate in locally?

Iowa’s Latino Heritage Festival.