Dan Bigley is the director of the therapeutic foster care department at Denali Family Services. Dan received his Master’s in Social Work from the University of Alaska, Anchorage. Dan has worked in a variety of inpatient and out-patient settings to help youth and families overcome relational, behavioral, and mental health challenges in the role of therapist and as an administrator.

Dan is also co-authoring a memoir for Globe Pequot Press called Beyond the Bear about managing and overcoming horrific adversity and trauma, and can be found sharing his experiences to local, national, and international audiences. Dan was given the Alaskan Of the Year Award by the Governor’s Committee in 2008, and the Rising Leader Award from the University of Alaska Anchorage in 2011. Additionally, Dan has been honored as an alumnus of distinction by both Prescott College and the University of Alaska Anchorage. Dan says one thing he has learned in his work in the field, and through his own experiences is that the larger a person’s life becomes as they find their passions and engage with them, the smaller their disabilities become.