Board term: 2024 - 2027

Daniel Besselsen joined the board in 2024.  He first got involved with the organization in 2014, before the Wellington Street shelter even existed. At that time, he was a member of Bay Pointe Community Church. Once the permanent emergency shelter opened, Dan became a community volunteer.

Dan is assistant vice president, finance at Interlochen Center for the Arts, a position he’s held since 2012. Prior to that, he was ICA’s controller since 2005. Active with boards and nonprofits for years, Besselsen most recently served as treasurer - and then chair - of The Children’s House, a Montessori school in Traverse City. After completing his service there, he was looking for another local nonprofit where he could apply his time and, more specifically, his financial background. He hopes to get involved in the fundraising component of Safe Harbor. 

Dan and his wife have three children, including a daughter who joined him at the shelter as a volunteer last season.